Demanding re-opening of Chhola Road railway crossings, the Youth Congress (YC) members gherao Collectorate here on Monday. The protest rally was led by Bhopal Youth Congress President Manoj Shukla, while District Congress Committee President PC Sharma and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) Chairman Kailash Mishra were also present.
Shukla on this occasion said that more than 30,000 residents of Chhola road have been confined in the area by closing of Chhola road railway crossings. YC members alleged that in year 2005, the then Collector gave wrong information to railway administration due to which the railway crossings had been closed down, causing much trouble to the residents. Shukla said that the under-bridge provided as an alternative to the railway crossings, but it is too short for heavy and medium size vehicle to cross through, due to which the heavy vehicles are not being able to enter the area.
Emergency services vehicles like 108 ambulances and fire brigades are also not able to cross through the under-bridges due to which the emergency services are getting affected in the area. Also the religious processions are not able to proceed out of the area.
Shukla further said that the other alternative provided by railway administration - flyover is of less utility to the citizens as earlier people had to move 100 metres through the railway crossings while at present they have to cover over three km to reach their destination.
He further said that smaller businesses are getting adversely affected due to non-movement of transport vehicles in the area. If the railway and district administration does not open the railway crossings soon, then Youth congress members will forcibly open them, added Shukla.