RBI subway bridge road: Madras high court poser to govt on rly’s plea

Chennai: Suo motu impleading the Chennai district collector and additional commissioner of police, traffic, as parties to a PIL, the Madras high court has directed the additional government pleader to get instructions as to their response to the request made by the Southern Railway for closure of one road at railway under bridge near RBI for the purpose of reconstructing the bridge.

A division bench comprising Justices S.Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad gave the directive on a PIL filed by advocate N.S.Sivakumar, which sought a direction to the SR to take necessary steps to shield the seepage of sewerage emanating from the railway track during the transit of passenger trains over the RBI subway bridge near Madras high court and to erect a permanent structure to desist sewerage spilling over from the railway track on roads.

In his petition, Sivakumar submitted that the railway tracks laid over the RBI subway bridge was not properly shielded and insulated to protect the seepage of sewerage emanating from the passing passenger trains. The vehicles of  judges and other dignitaries and the general public were bound to cross the RBI subway bridge underneath the railway track. More particularly, two wheelers taking the said route were frequently dipped in sewerage seeped from the passing train over the subway bridge particularly during the peak hours.  Throughout the day, where at least two passenger trains were passing through the RBI subway, spill out the sewerage emanating from the passing passenger trains. Therefore, he sent a representation to the authorities. But there was no response.

When the petition came up for hearing, P.T. Ramkumar standing counsel for Southern Railway submitted that the railways have already sent letters to the Chennai district collector and additional commissioner of police, traffic, in May and October 2018, wherein it was requested to close traffic in one road enabling the railways to reconstruct the bridge. In the letter, it was stated that the condition of the steel girder warrants immediate replacement and a sanction for the replacement of the bridge has been obtained and the work has been awarded. The bridge has to be reconstructed immediately on priority basis and hence, this administration was compelled to get approval for diversion of traffic at this bridge making it as both directions on one side up to completion and on completion of the same, other side can be taken up. The girder was in a highly corroded state, posing life threat to the general public as both girder and the piers were in a very damaged condition and requires cast-in-situ of box type bridge under the girder on top priority, the letter had added. But the authorities have not responded so far. If they take action, the railways will complete the work within 4 months, Ramkumar added.

Advocate G. Mohanakrishnan, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that in the meanwhile, the court may direct the railways to make some interim arrangements.