Department of Public Relations, Administration www.chandigarh.gov.in Press Release

Chandigarh, March 1: To ease the traffic problem between Chandigarh- and nearby areas and to replace level crossing by constructing ROB/RUB at various locations a Meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Finance-cum- Engineering, Mr. V.K.Singh. Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala Division, Mr. Pardeep Kumar Sanghi, Senior Divisional Operational Manager. Ambala Cantt., Mr. Nar Singh and Divisional Superintending Engineer-Railways, Ambala, Mr. Natraj Singh represented the Railways while Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh, Mr. S.K. Jaitley and Superintendent Engineer, Construction Circle-II, U.T., Chandigarh represented the Administration. Mr. Singh apprised that there are only 2 proper links from Chandigarh to Panchkula. Although 3 rd link has been completed recently between NH-21 and Industrial Area, Panchkula but it has not as yet given the expected relief to the commuters due to the existing railway level crossing (125C near Maulijagran). He stressed upon the need to construct RUB/ROB over different railway crossings linking Chandigarh with the Panchkula and Manimajra to facilitate the free movement of traffic between these areas. He explained that Chandigrh – road caters to the through traffic from Chandigarh to Himachal Pradesh and to Panchkula and remains choked most of the time and such alternate route is essential. It was therefore proposed that feasibility of constructing ROB near railway station for connecting Chandigarh to Sector 17/18 Panchkula via Railway Colony Maulijagran. SE Railways Sh. Natraj Singh explained that existing railway station is being upgraded to world class railway station and as such any other proposal under consideration of Chandigarh Admn. may also be intimated so that a comprehensive planning can be evolved. FSUT informed that DPR is under preparation with DMRC for constructing MRTS (Metro Rail Transport System) with a node near railway station, Chandigarh which may also be kept in view while planning up-gradation of Chandigarh railway station. Chief Engineer, U.T informed that CHB is constructing 1696 single room tenements near this crossing opposite Raipur Kalan i.e towards Makhanmajra and as such the traffic is likely to increase in this pocket. FSUT explained that all the pockets of the Chandigarh has been urbanized and there is need to plan for future at this stage and as such all the railway level crossings needs to be replaced with ROBs/RUBs. CEUT was asked to supply the survey plan and proposal to the railway authorities for their consideration. Sh.P.K.Sanghi, Divisional Railway Manager informed that the proposal has been technically scrutinized by the Ambala division and submitted to Northern Railways Headquarters, New Delhi and is under active consideration of the Ministry for approval. The administration will be intimated its approval for depositing the share of the administration with railways ministry. Sh.Natraj Singh informed that Railway crossing has already been widened and straightenrd by the railway authorities and as such Chandigarh Administration should provide metalled road in UT area and further the approach roads to the crossing also needs repair/maintenance because it has become bumpy due to the heavy traffic plying on this route. Sh.Natraj Singh informed that there is heavy flow of traffic through this level crossing of 6, 26,000 lakh TUVs and as such there is a urgent need for constructing RUB/ROB. He also intimated that a proposal has already been scrutinized by Ambala Divisional and submitted to Headquarter Northern Railways and it is at final stage of approval. Finance Seretary asked Chief Engineer to determine the site feasibility jointly with railway authorities on top priority and accordingly it was decided that Engineering Deptt. and Railway Authorities will review the matter on 11 th Martch 2011. Sh.Natraj informed that present TUV level is 2.25 lacs. Chief Engineer explained that traffic volume is likely to increase substantially due to the finalization of the development plan of the Manimajra and further extension of the IT Park. Sh.Natraj informed that there is a proposal to construct freight yard near railway crossing No.125 and as such the approaches to the railway crossing should be widened and improved. Finance Secy., U.T. informed that Chandigarh Admn. has planned warehousing complex across railway crossing 125 on Raipur Kalan side and as such railway siding should also be extended upto proposed warehousing for easy movement of the freight. Both the railway authorities and Chandigarh Administration officers agreed for coordination on day to day basis to expedite the process and finalization of proposals and their approval.