Mangaluru: In a long-awaited development, Southern Railways has approved the construction of a pedestrian railway underpass at Thokkottu to connect the residents of Olapete, bringing major relief to the people of Ullal.
Olapete, one of the oldest localities in the region, has lacked basic railway crossing infrastructure for years. With no level crossing gate, foot overbridge, or underpass, residents were forced to illegally cross active railway tracks, risking their lives daily.
Announcing the approval, Mangaluru MLA and Speaker UT Khader said the underpass will be 3 meters wide and will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore. The stretch between Thokkottu and Olapete is a key connector between the national highway and Ullal town, frequently used by students, daily commuters, and worshippers heading to nearby schools, markets, temples, churches, and mosques.
Despite repeated demands from the railway department to close the level crossing citing safety concerns and past accidents, local authorities had continued to allow access in view of public necessity.
MLA Khader confirmed that the construction will begin within three to four months and, once completed, the underpass will allow both pedestrians and two-wheelers.
The project follows years of persistent efforts by the Ullal Students Union and several civic groups, who organized protests and submitted memoranda demanding safe passage for the public.