Higher barricades installed for heavy vehicles

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The Shivajinagar underpass has become a major inconvenience for commuters due to a lack of coordination between the construction department, railway authorities, and the power distribution agency. The situation has turned into a persistent problem for citizens, with the concerned agencies shifting responsibility onto one another.

Despite the fact that heavy vehicles cannot pass under the bridge, unusually high iron barricades have been installed, seemingly allowing the movement of heavy vehicles. An iron arch was erected overnight inside the underpass, with its height deliberately kept high so that vehicles such as sand-laden trucks can pass without obstruction. It appears this arrangement was made to facilitate such movement. Chief engineer Atul Chavan clarified that these high barricades were not installed by the construction department.

The World Bank project wing of the construction department has submitted a letter to Pundliknagar police, warning that strict action, including filing of offences, will be taken against heavy vehicles found stuck under the bridge. However, no authority has taken responsibility for installing the high barricades, and there is no clear information on who authorised them.

CCTV cameras to be installed

Chief engineer Atul Chavan stated that the construction department will install strong barricades at the site, with a height of around 3.5 metres. CCTV cameras will also be installed to monitor the area. He reiterated that the currently installed high barricades were not placed by the department.

Rs 11 crore spent on underpass

The underpass at Shivajinagar railway crossing, constructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore, has become problematic instead of easing traffic. Of the total project cost, work worth about Rs 5.5 crore has been completed by the Public Works Department’s World Bank division. This includes the service road, junctions on both sides, land levelling, and roofing. The department has also carried out concreting and wall construction of the underpass.

Work carried out by railway department

The railway department executed the installation of the prefabricated tunnel, along with the drainage system to ensure proper flow of water into the nearby drain along the railway line. The bridge structure and drainage arrangements were handled by the railways. Both agencies have spent approximately Rs 5.5 crore each on the project.