Construction work on proposed vehicular underpass at Urban Estate Railway Crossing No. 7 has been temporarily stopped following objections raised by local residents and Municipal Corporation directed Railways to halt the work until concerns raised by public are reviewed.
To examine issue a five-member committee has been formed under chairmanship of Tehsildar and the committee includes a representative from DRM office, a PWD official of XEN rank, a representative from the Municipal Corporation Commissioner's office and a representative from Urban Estate Welfare Society.
According to officials the committee will first conduct a site inspection and later hold a joint meeting to discuss the matter and a final decision on future of the project will be taken after the review process is completed.
Work on underpass had already progressed to the excavation stage beneath the Nakodar railway line and the Railways had also started preparing the iron framework required for concrete box structure however following public protest the work was stopped. Officials said that no concrete work has been carried out during June so far.
The Urban Estate Residents' Welfare Society has demanded that the proposed underpass project estimated to cost around ₹3 crore be cancelled and residents claim that the project was started without proper consultation with local community and the work was halted after a complaint was submitted to DRM office by Harvinder Singh.
Residents have raised concerns about the design of the underpass and according to them the planned 5-metre-wide underpass includes a sharp U-shaped turn which they believe will only be suitable for small vehicles and they have also expressed fears that the design could increase risk of accidents and create traffic congestion in future.
Another concern raised by residents is the presence of a major sewage line near the proposed underpass and they fear that waterlogging and leakage problems may occur during monsoon season and now the committee will examine all objections raised by residents and assess their validity and officials from the concerned departments will conduct a site survey before the committee meeting takes place.
The proposed underpass is expected to benefit residents of Urban Estate Phases 1 and 2, Garha, Cantt, AGI, Jamsher, Subhana area, Subhana Road the area around Geeta Mandir as well as nearby school and commercial zones. Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said that Municipal Corporation had issued an NOC for a low-height vehicle underpass and added that construction was stopped after objections were raised by residents and alternative locations near railway line were also explored but sufficient land was not available.
The matter is currently under consideration.