Railways mulls construction of ROB at Pandeshwar level crossing

Mangaluru: The Southern Railway, which approved the development of the Pandeshwar level crossing road into a 4-lane road, is mulling over constructing a road over bridge (ROB) at the location.

The level crossing in the city has been causing inconvenience to thousands of commuters as it remains closed more than 10 times a day to facilitate the movement of trains. At a meeting chaired by Union minister of state for railways V Somanna, on Saturday, officials suggested that an ROB will be a lasting solution at the location. Officials informed the minister that a job description needs to be submitted by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). The minister has directed DC Darshan HV to hold a meeting and submit a proposal.

“The district administration should convene a meeting involving Southern Railway divisional railway manager (DRM), officials from the MCC and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta. Discuss the proposal and submit a proposal with details of the requirement in detail within 15 days. We will sanction funds for the project as well as for land acquisition,” Somanna said, instructing officials to give priority to the project.

The minister said that there is no dearth of funds. He said the long-pending issue of traffic congestion within the city limits needs to be solved. “If we depend on the state governments for funding, no work can be taken up,” the minister said.

MP Capt Chowta said that the issue was discussed at the recently held district development coordination and monitoring committee (DISHA) meeting. Southern Railway has already invited tenders to widen the road at the level crossing. The railways should complete the road widening work at the earliest. Meanwhile, the railways should also coordinate with the district administration for land acquisition for the proposed ROB, Chowta added.

Shri Ambamaheshwari Seva Trust, as part of the Awake Kudla initiative, has installed a display board to alert commuters about gate closures and guide them to alternative routes using simple, easily understood symbols. The level crossing on the busy city road closes 11 times between 8.35am and 8.25pm. The gate remains closed for at least 10-15 minutes for each train to cross.