Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 3: The Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division will install a double boom-barrier gate at the Pandeshwar level crossing in Mangaluru, paving the way for four-lane vehicular movement and easing traffic congestion along Mangaladevi Road.

The decision comes as the construction of a proposed railway overbridge at the level crossing is still pending.

Tenders have already been invited for installing the double boom-barrier gate along with the required civil and signalling works. Railway officials said the tenders are likely to be finalised within about a fortnight, following which the works will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.

Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey inspected the level crossing on September 1 along with MCC and Railway officials. During the inspection, the commissioner and MCC deputy commissioner (Development) Naresh P. Shenoy urged the Railway officials to expedite the tender process.

The MCC officials said the Corporation would widen around 200 metres of road on either side of the level crossing to four lanes once the Railway begins its widening works.

Railway engineers said the installation of the double boom barrier and upgrading of the signalling system would take around six months after the tender is finalised. The works will be undertaken on priority, they said.

Meanwhile, the proposed railway overbridge remains under discussion. The Railways has prepared for a two-lane overbridge, while the MCC has sought a four-lane structure considering the volume of traffic in the area. The Railways has sought detailed designs and drawings from the Corporation before proceeding further.

The Pandeshwar level crossing has been a source of inconvenience for motorists due to frequent closures to facilitate the movement of trains to and from Bunder Yard.

Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta had raised the issue with the State government and Railway authorities.

In March, Capt Chowta had announced that the Southern Railway had agreed to widen the level crossing to facilitate four-lane traffic and reduce congestion when the gates are opened for vehicular movement.