A total of 126 ROBs in lieu of busy level crossings have been sanctioned in Kerala on a 50% cost-sharing basis between Railway and State Government as per the standard model. However, the State Government has not been able to provide funds for their agreed share, leading to the languishing of most of these important projects of public interest for years.

Prioritising public safety, Southern Railway has taken the novel initiative to fully fund the 55 most critical ROBs by dispensing with the mandatory requirement of 50% funding by the State Government. The execution of these has also been entrusted to KRDCL (a JV company under the State) as a single entity.

However, the work on these 55 ROBs has still not been commenced by KRDCL either on account of non-approval of plans by the State, or due to pending land acquisition of approach roads, or due to non-finalisation of contracts in some cases.

Some of the busy level crossings to be benefited under this initiative are:

• LC No. 69A between Idappally and Ernakulam North stations in Ernakulam District on Chittoor Road.
• LC No. 28 between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda Stations in Thrissur District on Urakom–Pudukad Road.
• LC No. 558 between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri stations in Thiruvananthapuram District on Paravur–Varkala Road.
• LC No. 6 between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakkanchery Stations in Thrissur District on Varavoor–Mullurkara Road.
• LC No. 567 between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha stations in Kollam District on Chirayinkeezhu–Kaniyapuram (near Sarkala Bypass) Road.
• LC No. 230 between Thalassery and Etakkot stations in Kannur District on Thalassery–Irikkur Road.
• LC No. 164A near Lakkidi station in Palakkad District on Mankara–Palakkad Road.
• LC No. 32 between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda stations in Thrissur District on Anandapuram–Nellayi Road.

Out of 55 ROBs identified for 100% funding by Railway so far, the Kerala Government has been able to finalise the plans and process land acquisition only for 18 ROBs, which have been promptly re-sanctioned by Railway with 100% funding, and funds to the tune of ₹95 crores have already been transferred to the State Government towards their land cost. These 18 ROBs need to be completed by KRDCL within 18 months.

The plan approval and land acquisition for the remaining 37 ROBs agreed for 100% funding by Railway are long awaited from the State, though many of these are highly congested crossings, such as:

1. LC No. 6 between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakancherry Stations in Thrissur District on Varavoor–Mullurkara Road.
2. LC No. 64 between Angamali and Aluva Stations in Ernakulam District on Kariyad–Airport–Mattoor Road.
3. LC No. 226 between Thalassery and Mahe Stations in Kannur District on Thalassery–Nadapuram Road.
4. LC No. 19 between Poonkunam and Thrissur Stations in Thrissur District on Thiruvambady Road.
5. LC No. 46 between Irinjalakuda and Chalakudi Stations in Thrissur District on Chalakudi Road.
6. LC No. 7 between Wadakancherry and Vallathol Nagar Stations in Thrissur District on Wadakkanchery–Karumathra Road.
7. LC No. 228 between Thalassery and Mahe Stations in Kannur District on Jubilee Road.
8. LC No. 9 between Angadipuram and Vaniyambalam Stations in Malappuram District on Manjeri–Melattur Road.
9. LC No. 23 between Turavur and Cherthala Stations in Alappuzha District on Thuravoor–Kumbalangi Road.
10. LC No. 101 between Ambalapuzha and Haripad Stations in Alappuzha District on Ambalapuzha–Thiruvalla Road.

The out-of-the-way decision of Railways for 100% funding of 55 ROBs is unprecedented and demonstrates its strong commitment towards public safety and seamless transport across Kerala state.

Besides the above 55 ROBs, there are 65 more ROBs sanctioned on busy level crossings in the state of Kerala which are also held up for years either due to non-availability of funds with the State or due to non-approval of plans and failure to acquire the land by State Govt/KRDCL/RBDCK for approaches.

Collaborative efforts with the State Government, coupled with prompt approval of plans and land acquisition and expeditious execution by KRDCL, are crucial for timely completion of these long-pending ROBs. Now with 100% funding of these ROBs by Railway due to non-availability of funds with the State Government, Railways has removed the main bottleneck towards improved infrastructure, seamless transport, and accident-free crossings.

Source/RSB