Shivajinagar Underpass still not monsoon-ready

Broken machine halts railway work; iron railings stolen, adding to woes

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Despite a firm deadline of May 13 set at a coordination meeting held on April 28, critical pre-monsoon works at the Shivajinagar underpass remain incomplete. The Railway Department is yet to fix technical faults in the drainage line and install the mud pump, while the Public Works Department is yet to erect iron barricading at Deolai Chowk and the underpass area. Officials now admit the work will take another 15 to 20 days.

The situation is further complicated by theft of iron railings from the underpass site a recurring problem that has been disrupting safety arrangements and slowing progress on the ground. The coordination meeting, held by officers from the PWD, Railway Department, Municipal Corporation, and MSEDCL, on the waterlogging crisis. Last monsoon, the underpass was completely flooded, bringing traffic to a halt for hours. As per railway department senior section engineer Brijesh Kumar, excavation for the drainage pipe levelling is done, but the machine broke down mid-work. The mud pump installation is now expected only by May 25–26. Mahavitaran's Executive Engineer Mahendra Deshmukh confirmed that cable shifting on both sides has been completed. Municipal chief engineer Sanjay Kombde said work is underway and should wrap up before the monsoon.

With the monsoon just weeks away, citizens remain concerned whether the underpass will be ready in time or whether waterlogging will once again bring the area to a standstill.