The Chakradharpur railway division is all geared up to commission its ambitious `6 crore railway underpass project near Tata Pigments. Officials of Chakradharpur on Monday said that work for the underpass (also referred to as Railway Under Bridge-RUB) is in full progress and that the project is expected to be thrown open to the public sometime in the second week of March.
“It is our ambitious project that will ensure hassle free journey for commuters. We are satisfied over the progress of work for the underpass which would be commissioned in another one month or so. The new underbridge which is a long pending project is aimed to ensure smooth traffic and avoiding decongestion, on the Jugsalai-Station Road,” said a spokesperson of Chakradharpur railway division.
Officials of Megotia Constructions Private limited, the firm executing the project, said that the work of pushing the box girders have been completed. “The project is moving in right direction. Two box girders have been installed at the place of the new underpass which will be much stronger compared to the existing railway under bridge. The new underpass which will have more height will also facilitate smooth movement of heavy vehicles,” said an official of the construction firm.
The official said that those commuting to the railway station from Bistupur and Jugsalai will be allowed to travel through the new underpass while those coming from the station area can use the existing railway under bridge. “This way the traffic will get segregated and commuters can experience a hassle-free ride,” he explained .
Deputy station superintendent at Tatanagar railway station, Malay Mallick said that senior railway authorities from Chakradharpur are expected to inspect the new underpass later this month. Railway officials said that residents of Jugsalai and Bagbera also face problems in travelling to the city, a distance of few kilometres from the station, for decades owing to the absence of a proper underpass.