Rail over bridges to ease traffic in Nellore soon

Nellore: The decades-long wait for rail over bridges (RoB) at level crossings in two thickly populated areas of Nellore city is set to end soon. The Railways and the State Government have decided to construct the RoB at Baktavatsala Nagar and Kondayapalem railway gates in the city. The railway track passes through the midst of the town dividing Nellore into two parts. Access to the other side is cut off in case of heavy rains that happens almost every year as the under bridges turn as cesspools making flow of traffic impossible.

With all under bridges, from Atmakur bus stand to Ramalingapuram, getting clogged with water, traffic bound for the other side of the town has to depend on level crossings causing serious traffic jams all over the town. The new RoBs will bring a great relief to the citizens of Nellore. According to Roads and Buildings department officials, land procurement will be carried out by the R&B while the construction will be done by the railways. Besides funding for land acquisition, the state will shares 50 per cent of construction cost and the balance is borne by railways.

Railway officials said the survey is already completed and the construction work will be taken up under the supervision of Deputy Chief Engineer (Construction), Vijayawada from April. “We have been waiting for the bridges at railway level crossings since decades and they are certain to ease the growing traffic problems in the city at least to some extent. We can also save on petrol since the RoBs will put an end to the detour of 3 to 4 km to reach other side of the railway track when the gates are closed,” said V. Murali, a resident of Baktasvatsala Nagar.