दक्षिण पश्चिम रेलवे/ SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY
प्रेस विज्ञप्ति/ Press Release No. 381 Dt: 12.02.2021
SWR FACILITATES UNDERPASS ALONG WITH DOUBLING IN GOA REGION
As the existing Railway track was laid more than 100 years ago, many towns have developed on both sides of Railway track, especially between Vasco-da-gama and Castle Rock stations. Residents of these areas are facing lot of inconvenience in crossing of Railway track and have to travel many kilometres for level crossings. Keeping this aspect in view, it has been planned to construct 3 Underpasses at Curchorem, Chandor and Kamral.
A part of the ongoing doubling between Londa and Vaso, SWR has facilitated three Underpasses at Curchorem, Chandor and Kamral villages which have brought relief to the road users in and around these villages. These under passes being constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited were commissioned in the month of Feb 2021.
The first Underpass at was launched on Feb. 3, the second on Feb. 6, and the third on Feb 10 at Curchorem, Cahndor and Kamral respectively. Both Passenger and Freight traffic was suspended for 5 hours for construction of the underpasses. These Under passes were constructed after suspending normal rail traffic, both passenger and Cargo, for five hours each time and at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.5 crore. In addition to the cost of construction, the Indian Railways had incurred a loss of Rs. 3 crore approximately as a result of suspending train services.
Keeping in mind of the inconvenience being faced, SWR has taken-up the work of providing Underpasses despite these economic consequences. These Underpasses are part of the over-all plan of Rail double tracking, and underpasses are designed to accommodate small and medium size four wheelers.
Of the three underpasses launched by SWR, the underpass at Kamral village would provide the biggest relief since one portion of the village, having 60/70 houses was landlocked between the Railway line and a River for the last several years, and public were forced to transporting all essential items through a longer route or across the Rail line which was unsafe. The only access to they had to the village road was a small water path under the Rail track, which was used mainly by pedestrians and two-wheeler. With the construction of this Underpass, it is now possible take 4 wheelers to the landlocked part of the village.
For the citizens of Chandor and Curchorem, the underpasses will provide a great relief for road users as they can ride through the underpass without having to wait at the Level Crossing gates that have been closed. Railways is also planning to construct connecting roads at both the locations, which is estimated to cost around Rs. 5 Cr. Railways plan to complete work of these roads within by March.
General public of these villages have appreciated the initiative because besides providing connectivity which was not available earlier, the waiting at Level Crossing for trains to pass will now become a thing of the pass. In addition to provision of ROB/RUB and Limited Height Subways, SWR is also taking up improvements to Station buildings by providing better passenger amenities, like foot over bridges, platform shelters, platform toilets, Ramp for physically challenged and longer platforms for the convenience of passengers along with doubling.
Chief Public Relations Officer South Western Railway, Hubballi
