Palakkad Divisional Railway has embarked on the excavation work to install two precast concrete boxes beneath railway lines at Mahakalipadpu. This marks a significant milestone in the construction of twin railway-under-bridges (RUB) at the existing railway level crossing. The project, initiated by Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel in March 2021, is anticipated to reach completion by the second week of June.
Construction Milestones
Preparations for the precast concrete boxes are complete, and efforts are underway to push them beneath the railway lines. Once the RUBs are in place, the road from NH-66 at Jeppinamogaru to Mangaluru City will be reopened, reinstating a crucial access route that was closed in December 2021 to facilitate construction.
Timeline and Progress
According to Southern Railway Palakkad divisional railway manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, the pushing of the precast concrete boxes beneath the railway lines is scheduled for completion by June 10. Earth excavation work has commenced beneath the Mangaluru Junction-Shoranur Junction railway line, while one of the two in situ concrete boxes beneath the Mangaluru Central-Shoranur line has already been completed.
Future Plans and Challenges
Chaturvedi outlined that while progress is being made, remaining works, including protection measures, are slated for completion by the second week of June. Weather permitting, efforts will be made to expedite the process to restore traffic movement at the earliest. The magnitude of the project has necessitated the cancellation of several trains, highlighting its significance and impact on railway operations.
Project Overview
The twin RUB project, estimated at approximately Rs 20 crore, forms a crucial component of the four-lane road development initiative led by the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL). This initiative aims to enhance connectivity from NH-66 at Jeppinamogaru to Mangaluru City via Morgan’s Gate, benefiting commuters and facilitating smoother transportation networks.
