Idea in tune with policy to do away with level crossings

In a bid to improve public interface and provide real solutions to safety concerns, the Palakkad division of the Southern Railway has sought suggestions from local bodies and the public for the construction of limited use subways at railway level crossings instead of road overbridges (RoB) and road underbridges (RuB) under its jurisdiction in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and the Union Territory of Mahe.

The idea is in tune with the policy of the Railways to do away with level crossings in a time-bound manner so as to decongest busy roads at many places. “We need the active support of the local people to go ahead with the construction of subways. We already have experimented the scheme at Parappanangadi in Malappuram district, Onchiyam in Kozhikode district, and Maicha in Kasaragod district, ” Palakkad Division Railway Manager Naresh Lalwani told The Hindu on Monday.

He said subways would be constructed considering their feasibility, especially at regional settlements, and dependability for all seasons. “Securing sanction and funds for construction is not at a major issue, ” he pointed out.

Mr. Lalwani said a possible issue that might crop up at certain locations would be the pumping of rainwater. For such locations, the Railways would provide facilities in association with local bodies for pumping out water.

The Palakkad division manages over 580 km of tracks in the three States and the Union Territory. It has 159 level crossings. In the last three years, eight manned level crossings and three unmanned level crossings have been closed by providing limited use subways. The work on providing limited use subways for level crossings in Vellambra in Malappuram, Puthupathy in Coimbatore and Kalpathy in Palakkad is progressing now. Work has been sanctioned at Kumbala and Arrykadi Kadavath in Kasaragod.

Mr. Lalwani said rampant urbanisation coupled with an increase in the number of trains were leading to long queues at level crossings.

Graded crossing with road and rail at different levels could be a solution, but they were costly as they require long and wide stretches of land and longer construction period, he said.

The public and local bodies may contact S. Anilkumar, Assistant Engineer, Palakkad (9746763204) or M.K. Gopinath, Public Relations Officer, Palakkad (9746763002). Whatsapp images of the site could also be sent so that the Railway could examine the feasibility of providing limited use subways, he said.