The Ministry of Railways has set a two-year target to eliminate all level crossings within a 100-kilometer radius of Bengaluru by replacing them with Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs). The initiative is expected to significantly reduce traffic bottlenecks and improve public safety in the city and its surrounding areas.
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Following a review meeting on infrastructure development, it was announced that 39 additional level crossings in and around Bengaluru will be replaced with ROBs and RUBs. Currently, the city has about 75 such structures already operational. Of these, 56 have been fully funded by the Ministry of Railways, 16 were executed through cost-sharing with the state government, while 3 were developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
High-level committee to expedite project
To expedite the projects, a high-level committee will be formed under the leadership of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department. The panel will also include officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), and other agencies to ensure seamless execution.
The Bengaluru City Police have submitted a list of railway gates with the highest congestion levels, which will be prioritised for immediate construction. Thirteen ROBs and RUBs have already been sanctioned, with work underway.
Additionally, plans are being drawn up for a new mega coach terminal, which is likely to come up in Devanahalli, boosting the city’s railway infrastructure further.