Jalandhar’s Urban Estate Phase-1 has become the centre of a fresh civic controversy after the construction and digging work for a railway underpass began near Railway Crossing Gate C-7 on the Jalandhar–Nakodar railway line.
The issue traces back to the government and railway authorities’ larger plan to shut down smaller railway crossings in order to reduce accidents and improve safety. Railway Crossing of C-7 at Urban Estate Phase-1 had been closed previously due to the opening of a Village Subana Road underpass close to the gate of C-7 and C-8.
But afterwards, it was re-opened due to public pressure because it serves as one of the important means of access for the students, parents, and teachers of a renowned educational institution of Phase-1. It seems that closing the crossing resulted in many problems for the residents.
Now, again the residents have reason to complain about the opening of an underpass close to the crossing. The Urban Estate Welfare Society has alleged that the underpass is being constructed at the “wrong location” and is not in accordance with the originally approved plan. According to the association, the actual approved site for the underpass lies nearly 300 meters away from the current construction point.
The welfare body has also raised several technical objections regarding the project. The residents say that the underpass would not be wide enough to allow easy movement of people and cars and would actually increase traffic jams.
As per the information provided by the society, the underpass design consists of sharp turns, small spaces to enter and leave, and lack of an actual walkway for pedestrians.
Moreover, there is a risk of water logging in the underpass due to rains.
The residents allege that despite spending significant public funds, the underpass may prove “impractical and unusable” for regular traffic movement.
In a formal representation to the Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur Division, Northern Railways, dated 13th May, 2026, the Urban Estate Welfare Society pleaded with the concerned authority to stop the current construction and think about the placement of the underpass.
The association has insisted upon railway authorities to go ahead with the earlier approved plan, which has been devised jointly by the Railways, PUDA and Municipal Corporation Jalandhar near Parks Nos. 1 & 2 on the Urban Estate Phase-2 side.
The society has further threatened that opening or shifting of Railway Gate C-7 in absence of a proper plan would result in traffic jams, confusion and accidents due to the heavily congested area.
This complaint has also been copied to the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Corporation.
In the meantime, as the construction work proceeds unabated, this issue has now become the subject matter of debate within the community.