Southern Railway to fully fund construction of 55 road overbridges in Kerala to improve safety

Time of India

14-05-2025

T'puram:
Southern Railway
will fully fund the construction of road overbridges at 55 level crossings as the state govt is unable to provide a 50% share of the cost. Road overbridges to eliminate level crossings are funded by the railways and the state govts on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis.The 55 ROBs were delayed because of the inability of the state govt to share the cost.
In a statement, Southern Railway said the novel initiative dispensing with the mandatory requirement of 50% funding from the state govt was taken to prioritise safety.These ROBs are critical projects that will be executed by
Kerala Road Development Corporation Ltd
(KRDCL). Some of the busy level crossings that are part of the 55 include two between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda stations, one each between Edapally and Ernakulam North railway station, between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri stations, between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakkanchery stations, between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha stations, between Thalassery and Etakkot stations and one near Lakidi railway station in Palakkad.
"Out of the 55 ROBs identified for 100% funding by railway so far, the state govt was able to finalise the plans and process land acquisition only on 18 , which were promptly re-sanctioned by railway with 100% funding. Funds to the tune of Rs 95 crore were already transferred to the state towards their land cost. These 18 ROBs need to be completed by KRDCL within 18 months," said the statement.The plan approval and land acquisition for the remaining 37 ROBs agreed for 100% funding by railway are long awaited from the state govt. These include level crossings between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakancherry stations, between Angamaly and Aluva stations, between Thalassery and Mahe stations, between Poonkunam and Thrissur stations, between Irinjalakuda and Chalakudy stations, between Angadipuram and Vaniyambalam stations, between Turavur and Cherthala stations and between Ambalapuzha and Haripad stations.In addition to the 55 ROBs, there are 65 ROBs sanctioned on busy level crossings, which are also held up for years either due to the non-availability of funds with the state or due to non-approval of plans and failure to acquire the land.