Survey ordered for footbridge at Jugsalai by railway minister: Jamshedpur MP

JAMSHEDPUR: Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato last week met railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi and urged him to initiate construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) at Jugsalai.

Mahato on Monday said that understanding the problems faced by the residents living in the wholesale marketing hub-cum-residential area of Steel City, the minister has instructed the South Eastern Railway to conduct a survey of the spot and find the feasibility of constructing a footbridge in the area. The minister has directed the officials to table the survey report as soon as possible so that the next step can be initiated in this regard.

After the formal inauguration of the road overbridge (ROB) in Jugsalai by chief minister Hemant Soren on January 31, the manned level crossing was closed by the railways, causing problem for the several thousands of pedestrians who used it to cross around 250 metre stretch in just a few minutes. After the closure of the level crossing, they are forced to travel one 1.2km elevated stretch on the ROB on foot, which is not only time consuming but also not safe after dark as it does not have street lights.

Most of the pedestrians avoiding the ROB, now cross the tracks illegally risking their lives. Highlighting the problems, local Congress leaders also staged demonstrations in Jugsalai area demanding the revival of the manned level crossing. Several other political parties had demanded the same.

A delegation of the Singbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) also visited the area earlier this month to take stock of the situation. SCCI too felt that a footbridge was required in the area as it was not possible for all pedestrians, especially senior citizens, to cross the tracks using ROB. A section of the traders of Jugsalai had alleged that their business was suffering as many people now find it difficult to use the ROB and reach shops to purchase goods.

Mahato said crossing the tracks is not legal and safe, so a footbridge is very much required in that area, as most of the pedestrians are not using the 1.2km-long ROB to cross the railway lines even after inauguration. The railway lines in that area between Tatanagar and Adityapur stations are extremely busy. It is used by around 100 passenger and goods trains on an average daily. In the past there have been several incidents when ignoring red signals many people have been run over by train in that stretch.

The MP said as the state government has taken no initiative to install street lights on the ROB till date, not only pedestrians, even motorists find it very unsafe to use it after dusk.

He expressed confidence that the railway minister would soon take steps to solve the problem of the area.

The MP also said he had talks with Vaishnaw and soon a Vande Bharat Express will be launched on the Tatanagar-Howrah route. Though dates have yet not been finalised for the inaugural run, most of the formalities have been completed in this connection. Mahato said he has also demanded another two Vande Bharats connecting Tatanagar with Patna and with Bhubaneshwar.