Gadag: While Indian Railway is aimed to remove all level crossing (LC) gates by March 2025, South Western Railway (SWR) has removed such LC gate but halted construction of a Railway over bridge (ROB) for over five years in Gadag.
The road, which connects Gadag with Hombal, Nargund and other places, is blocked and vehicles are forced to take detours of additional 5-6 kms.
There is a crematorium on Hombal Road and people are struggling to take bodies for last rites. Buses going towards Nargund, Koujageri and Hombal have stopped running on this road.
Sources in SWR said 2-3 contractors were changed, which is the reason for the delay. However, citizens, commuters and farmers who were depending on this road are now coming together to take up an agitation against SWR.
Ganesh Singh Byali, president, Betgeri Railway Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, told TOI that the incomplete ROB has become a headache for the public from past 5-6 years. “SWR is neither continuing the construction nor informing the reason for the inordinate delay,” he alleged.
Akkamahadevi Godachappanavar, a teacher, said that earlier she was catching buses such as Gadag-Nargund via Hombal and Gadag-YS Hadagali at Hombal Naka.
“Due to the blockade, buses are running via Tipu Circle and bypass, taking detour of additional 4-5 kms. This is happening almost from 2018. We wonder how people of Gangapurpet, Hombal Naka, SM Krishna Nagar and other areas are tolerating this for years,” she added.
Parashuram, Tulasamma, Venkatesh and other nearby residents said that now half-constructed bridge is in pathetic condition, and it is most likely that it will not be restarted. “We suspect that it is completely unscientific and unplanned as the bridge construction has come up to Hanuman temple,” they opined.
Farmer leaders Basavaraj Kavalikai, Basavaraj Beladadi, Parameshwarappa Jantli, Mohan Imarapur and other farmers said that they are planning to launch an agitation and picketing at Gadag railway station soon.
Vinayak, Seema, Manasa, Megharaj and other students of Gadag Public School said that their vans have been taking a detour due to this incomplete bridge. “Earlier, we used to wait for trains to move, if the gate was shut. Now we are spending the same amount of time taking a detour,” they rued.
Dr Manjunath Kanamadi, chief public relations officer, SWR, Hubballi, was unavailable for comment. He even remained unanswered to the message sent 3 days ago.
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The road, which connects Gadag with Hombal, Nargund and other places, is blocked and vehicles are forced to take detours of additional 5-6 kms.
There is a crematorium on Hombal Road and people are struggling to take bodies for last rites. Buses going towards Nargund, Koujageri and Hombal have stopped running on this road.
Sources in SWR said 2-3 contractors were changed, which is the reason for the delay. However, citizens, commuters and farmers who were depending on this road are now coming together to take up an agitation against SWR.
Ganesh Singh Byali, president, Betgeri Railway Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, told TOI that the incomplete ROB has become a headache for the public from past 5-6 years. “SWR is neither continuing the construction nor informing the reason for the inordinate delay,” he alleged.
Akkamahadevi Godachappanavar, a teacher, said that earlier she was catching buses such as Gadag-Nargund via Hombal and Gadag-YS Hadagali at Hombal Naka.
“Due to the blockade, buses are running via Tipu Circle and bypass, taking detour of additional 4-5 kms. This is happening almost from 2018. We wonder how people of Gangapurpet, Hombal Naka, SM Krishna Nagar and other areas are tolerating this for years,” she added.
Parashuram, Tulasamma, Venkatesh and other nearby residents said that now half-constructed bridge is in pathetic condition, and it is most likely that it will not be restarted. “We suspect that it is completely unscientific and unplanned as the bridge construction has come up to Hanuman temple,” they opined.
Farmer leaders Basavaraj Kavalikai, Basavaraj Beladadi, Parameshwarappa Jantli, Mohan Imarapur and other farmers said that they are planning to launch an agitation and picketing at Gadag railway station soon.
Vinayak, Seema, Manasa, Megharaj and other students of Gadag Public School said that their vans have been taking a detour due to this incomplete bridge. “Earlier, we used to wait for trains to move, if the gate was shut. Now we are spending the same amount of time taking a detour,” they rued.
Dr Manjunath Kanamadi, chief public relations officer, SWR, Hubballi, was unavailable for comment. He even remained unanswered to the message sent 3 days ago.
We also published the following articles recently
SWR to run train between Mys and Vasco-da-Gama
South Western Railway to run a weekly special train between Mysuru and Vasco-da-Gama. Train departs Mysuru on December 22 and 29 at 7.10pm, reaches Vasco-da-Gama the next day at 1.50pm. Commercial stoppages at various stations. Train consists of 22 coaches with different classes. Passengers requested to carry bedrolls as linen will not be provided.
South Western Railway to run a weekly special train between Mysuru and Vasco-da-Gama. Train departs Mysuru on December 22 and 29 at 7.10pm, reaches Vasco-da-Gama the next day at 1.50pm. Commercial stoppages at various stations. Train consists of 22 coaches with different classes. Passengers requested to carry bedrolls as linen will not be provided.
SWR inks pact with JSW for five specialised wagons
SWR and JSW Minerals Rail Logistics have entered into an agreement for the operation of BOBSNS rakes to transport iron ore from Mineral Enterprises Ltd Siding to the JSW steel plant at Tornagallu. A total of 12 BOBSNS rakes will be procured by JSW Minerals Rail Logistics. The rakes, manufactured by Titagarh Rail System Limited, will begin operating from April 2024. The introduction of these wagons will simplify unloading and save time. The agreement was signed by SWR and JSW officials.
SWR and JSW Minerals Rail Logistics have entered into an agreement for the operation of BOBSNS rakes to transport iron ore from Mineral Enterprises Ltd Siding to the JSW steel plant at Tornagallu. A total of 12 BOBSNS rakes will be procured by JSW Minerals Rail Logistics. The rakes, manufactured by Titagarh Rail System Limited, will begin operating from April 2024. The introduction of these wagons will simplify unloading and save time. The agreement was signed by SWR and JSW officials.
Chandigarh railway station’s makeover: RLDA engineers pulled up for construction errors
The ex-officio secretary to Government of India (GoI), ministry of railways, Railway Board, New Delhi, Roop Narayan Sunkar, reprimanded engineers of Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) for construction lapses at Chandigarh railway station. Sunkar urged the engineers to rectify the flaws in the construction of the world-class railway station. During the inspection, he found incorrect fitting of seats installed on the roofs and no drainage arrangement for water from the tracks. Sunkar also directed the railways to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure convenience during construction.
The ex-officio secretary to Government of India (GoI), ministry of railways, Railway Board, New Delhi, Roop Narayan Sunkar, reprimanded engineers of Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) for construction lapses at Chandigarh railway station. Sunkar urged the engineers to rectify the flaws in the construction of the world-class railway station. During the inspection, he found incorrect fitting of seats installed on the roofs and no drainage arrangement for water from the tracks. Sunkar also directed the railways to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure convenience during construction.