The Tatanagar railway authorities have embarked on an uplift plan worth `6 lakh for repairing of the Tatanagar overbridge. The idea is to provide easy traffic movement and preventing encroachment on the pavements of overbridge.
The Tatanagar overbridge is the only way to the railway station from residential colonies in central, eastern and southern pockets of the city including Burmamines, Agrico, Sidhgora, Baridih, Birsanagar, Golmuri and Telco.
The bridge which was constructed at a cost of `15 crore on a joint venture (50:50 partnership) between Tata Steel and Union railway ministry and commissioned in 2007 witnesses a footfall of more than 50,000 commuters (heavy vehicles are prohibited on the bridge) daily.
Officials of the railway informed that the bridge needs early repair and since the festive season is beginning the rush will rise. The encroachment has also led to rise in traffic problem. In fact, there was virtually no space left for pedestrians to cross on the bridge as the entire pavement was encroached. Commuters faced problem as people used to park their vehicles on the road while purchasing vegetables from the vendors creating traffic congestion. Several attempts by the railway authorities and traffic police to remove the vendors from the overbridge proved futile as after few months of anti-encroachment drive vendors used to return again.
AEN (assistant engineer) Tatanagar Station, SK Das said they have carried a survey after which they decided to give a facelift. Moreover, the idea of installing iron pole barricades on the pavement is to prevent encroachment.
The railway official further said that the project which would also see the iron poles with cement grouting to prevent it being uprooted by miscreants.