now facing problems as locals are agitating against
underground subways and demanding level crossing
instead.
The protesting locals pelted stones at a team of
railway officials and JCB machines at crossing no 264
in Khuli Taharpur under Bhamora railway station on
Monday afternoon demanding level crossing instead of
limited height underground subway.
The railway team was forced to move out from the
area and work has come to a complete halt till further
orders. Police and administration officials, including
Aonla SDM, tried to pacify agitating locals but they
continued with their demands, saying that the area
was prone to floods and underground subway would
add to their woes instead of being of help.
The crossing number 264 is the main route for around
10 villages including Hazrapur, Naugamra, Kiratpur,
Titauli, Amitpur, Bahuripur. Before construction work, a
meeting was held between locals and railway officials
in which officials tried to convince them about the
benefits of subway. Even then, villagers are opposed
to the subway construction and demanded level
crossing.
Ram Singh, a local said, "The subway is shorter in
height and we are residing in flood prone area. Every
year, there is flood in this area and as these subways
are around 5 to 6 feet deep, it will cause problem in
rainy season."
As per railway officials, three crossings between
Bareilly railway station and Badaun railway station on
Kasganj route have turned troublesome as in spite of
regular talks and meetings with villagers, railway
officials are yet to convince villagers of the benefits of
subways over railway crossings.
Akha railway crossing, which is on the main route to
more than two dozen villages, continues to witness
use of level crossing in spite of newly constructed
subway by railway department. Similarly, Makrandpur
railway crossing too faces the same problem. On
several occasions, railway officials and others had to
flee after protests turned violent whenever they tried to
commence with construction work.
Talking to TOI, Aonla SDM Pushpa Devrar said,
"Villagers have not given any written application so far
and we are waiting for written complaint from them.
We tried our best to convince them about benefits of
subway but they are still adamant on their demands of
regular level crossing. Talks are going on and things
will be sorted out soon."
On the other hand, Public Relation Officer (PRO)
Izzatnagar division, Rajendra Singh said, "Subways are
constructed only at places where they are best suited
and all of them have standard measurement. Even a
loaded truck and tractor-trollies can pass through
these sub ways with ease. Concrete walls are also
being built on either side of the subway along with
concrete road with rain harvesting pits which measure
around 60 feet in depth. So, the fear of water logging
is not justified. However, we cannot do anything in
case of frequent floods."
It may be recalled that the railway department is
focusing on minimizing unmanned railway crossings
and is opting for constructing subways for smooth
road traffic. There are 270 unmanned railway crossing
under Izzatnagar division. In total, there are three
spots where limited height subways are to be
constructed by railway authorities on the route
between Bareilly and Badaun railway stations.
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