The railway crossing at Safilguda continues to pose difficulties to commuters and the authorities alike.
While commuters are suffering because of gridlocks on either side of the railway gate, the authorities are struggling to come up with a ‘perfect’ plan to solve the traffic crisis in the locality.
After dabbling with the proposal to construct a Road Over Bridge (RoB) at the railway crossing for the last one decade, a new proposal to construct a Road Under Bridge (RuB) has come up in the area. However, the RuB will not be at the Safilguda crossing but is being planned at Uttam Nagar, a few metres away from the actual rail crossing.
Cost escalation
Incidentally, the South Central Railway (SCR) had agreed to construct two RuBs to ease traffic along both sides of the railway line at Safilguda railway station two years ago, following a proposal put up by the GHMC.
The municipal corporation was to widen the road on either side from the AOC Centre to Anandbagh by taking over 40 properties.
The defence authorities too gave their consent to part with their land.
“But, all these factors have escalated the project cost. It also made it technically very difficult to execute the project. Hence, we have decided that the RuB at Uttam Nagar is the only practical solution,” the GHMC official said.
Many advantages
Advantages by shifting to Uttam Nagar are fewer properties to be acquired, open space and the site too is well suited for constructing a RuB, he said.
The SCR too consented to this during the recent coordination committee meeting.
“We are preparing estimates and drawings. Very shortly, the plan is likely to be presented to SCR for final approval,” he explained.
However, commuters using the stretch have doubts over the new proposal.
“Similar assurances were given earlier too but they never took off. We hope it won’t be delayed or cancelled at least this time,” said Noor, secretary of Suburban Bus and Train Travellers Association.
