Five departments join hands to tackle Shivajinagar underpass issues

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A decision was taken on Monday at the municipal corporation to install mud pumps at the Shivajinagar underpass to prevent accumulation of rainwater and silt. Besides, to ensure that larger vehicles do not get stuck, it was decided to reduce the girder height from 3.5 metres to 3 metres. Notably, this was the first time that five government departments convened a joint meeting on the issue.

The Shivajinagar underpass was constructed jointly by the Department of Railways and the Public Works Department (PWD). Since its inauguration, several issues have surfaced. Although the municipal corporation has no direct connection with the underpass, a meeting was held in the presence of mayor Sameer Rajurkar, standing committee chairman Anil Makariye, deputy mayor Rajendra Janjal, leader of the opposition Abdul Sameer, and municipal commissioner Amol Yedge.

Officials from the PWD, the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), the MSEDCL, the traffic police, and the municipal corporation attended the meeting. During the monsoon, water accumulates daily in the underpass. A provision has been made at the centre of the passage for drainage; however, it requires the installation of mud pumps to remove water and sludge effectively. The civic chief Yedge will hold discussions with railway officials regarding this.

The meeting also emphasised expediting stormwater drainage work. To prevent the passage of heavy vehicles, it was decided to lower the girder height to 3 metres. Deputy mayor Janjal suggested reducing the height of speed breakers. It was also noted that clearing the adjoining roads would ease traffic movement. MSEDCL has a cable passing through the area, and the Mayor suggested encasing it in concrete for protection. Prior to the meeting, the civic chief conducted a detailed inspection of the Shivajinagar underpass.