The Lucknow division of Northern Railways (NR) shut the railway gate connecting Allenganj locality to Chhota Baghada. It will be closed for next 115 days for construction of a railway underpass by the Lucknow division of NR.
Following the closing of this railway gate, commuters will have to take a longer route as people from these localities will have to use gate number 78A (at Bakshi bund) or gate number 76A (the one near the IERT).
The construction of this rail underpass is being taken up as part of preparations for Mahakumbh 2025. In view of it rail over bridges and rail under bridges are being constructed in many areas of the city and construction of a rail underpass at Annie Besant rail gate number 77 (near Prayag railway station) was a priority for NR.
The project was sanctioned by NR in view of the regular traffic jam at the rail gate connecting Allenganj to Chhota Baghada. The decision to build a rail underpass here was taken last year, work for which commenced on Monday. During this period, this railway gate will remain completely closed till February 28, 2024. According to railway officials of the NR, people of the affected localities will have to use the alternative routes and once the railway underpass is ready, the locals of these areas will get a huge sigh of relief from the problem of traffic jams.
FESTIVAL RUSH: In view of the possible rush of passengers during Diwali on November 12 and Chhath festival on November 19, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has decided to increase the frequency of buses. As many as 148 additional buses will be operated and additional trips of buses will continue from November 10 to 20.
In view of Diwali and Chhath additional facilities will be provided to the passengers by the UPSRTC here
According to Regional Roadways Manager of Prayagraj Zone, MK Trivedi, the frequency of roadways buses will be increased from on the Prayagraj to Lucknow, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Mirzapur and Banda routes on Diwali and Chhath. He said 34 trips will be increased on the Prayagraj-Lucknow route. Besides 20 trips on Prayagraj-Ayodhya route, 24 on Prayagraj-Kanpur route, 24 on Prayagraj-Varanasi route, 26 on Prayagraj-Gorakhpur route, 10 on Prayagraj-Mirzapur route and 10 trips on Prayagraj-Banda route in view of the festival rush are being increased. In view of the pressure on the Transport department employees during these two festivals, the roadways has also decided to give them additional incentive.
Trivedi said during this period such drivers or operators, including contract and outsourced drivers or operators, who are present for a minimum of 10 days and drive an average of 300 kilometers, will be given a lump sum payment of Rs 3500 incentive.
Such drivers and operators, including contract and outsourced drivers or operators, who will be present for the entire 11 days and drive an average of 300 kilometers, will be given a lump sum incentive of Rs 4400 at the rate of Rs 400 per day.
Contract and outsourced drivers will have to be paid an additional amount of 55 paise per kilometre if they earn more kilometres than the standard during this period.
He said that the employees of the depot and regional workshop who are present for duty for 11 days during this period will be given a lump sum incentive of Rs 1800 and if they are present for 10 days of duty, a lump sum incentive of Rs 1500 will be given.
