Seven years after the State government had given its nod for replacing the existing manned level-crossing (No.2), with a road overbridge, in Pattabiram on Chennai-Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road, work on the construction of the ROB is in full swing. As part of the construction work, steel beams have been erected on both sides of the track.
As per the plan, the proposal to construct a six-lane ROB, replacing the level crossing, was approved by the State government in 2011 at an estimated cost of ₹30 crore. Similar to other subways and bridges that replaced the level-crossings in other parts of the city, especially between Chennai Beach and Tambaram, the ROB at Pattabiram Military Siding Depot will be jointly constructed by the State Highways Department and the Southern Railway.
The track portion of the project will be carried out by the Southern Railway and the rest of the work, including the construction of the connecting ramps on CTH Road, will be executed by the State Highways. “It takes at least 20 minutes to cross the manned level crossing in Pattabiram. The approach road at the level-crossing is too narrow, resulting in traffic chaos,” says S. Vinoth, a motorist from Pattabiram.
Every day, more than 15 pairs of suburban trains are being operated between Chennai Central and Pattabiram Military Siding depot on a separate rail line from Pattabiram mainly for defence personal and their families. On the other hand, on an average, more than 80,000 vehicles including MTC buses, goods-laden lorries and cars cross the level crossing every day. The movement of traffic is affected due to closure of the railway level crossing there. During emergencies, ambulances too have to wait at the level crossing as the de-tour will take an additional 10 kilometres via Thirunindravur.
