Lack of coordination creates hurdle for RUB works in Tirupati

Tirupati: Lack of coordination has become a curse for the Road Under Bridge (RUB) works at Rayalacheruvu level crossing on the south side of Tirupati Railway Station. The gate assumes much importance as it connects north and south parts of the city.

Several government offices are located on south side, TTD and other organisations are located on the northern side. An estimated 2.5 lakh vehicles pass through the level crossing gate daily and it has to be closed for about 80 times in a day to facilitate train movement between Renigunta and Katpadi junctions.

On an average gate will be closed for 15 minutes each time and hundreds of vehicles strand on either side and with no proper traffic control, people stop their vehicles in a zigzag manner making it difficult to move on even when the gate is opened.

To meet the long pending demand of the denizens, the railway authorities had come forward and shown interest in constructing RUB. The former General Manager of South Central Railway and present Chairman of Railway Board Vinod Kumar Yadav and DRM of Guntakal division Vijay Prathap Singh have visited the city several times and held discussions with civic authorities.

It was estimated that Rs.15.60 crores will be required for the RUB works to get completed out of which the Railways and TUDA have to share 50 per cent each. The railway officials have even placed a notice at the gate giving the project details and mentioned that it will be completed by August 31, 2019. But, only in February this year, civic authorities started the works to divert the main drain.

Still many works have to be taken up before starting the construction works of RUB. The Telugu Ganga pipeline has to be diverted there. Southern DISCOM should remove the electricity cables, poles and transformer in that area and Railways have to remove a huge wall. On its part TUDA has released only Rs.1.50 crore. Coordination between various departments is needed for starting RUB works.