Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 20
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, along with Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, today laid the foundation stone for the road under bridge (RUB) at the Baltana level crossing.
Addressing the gathering, Kataria said rail travel served not merely as a means to commute from one place to another but also as a powerful medium to experience the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Bittu said the RUB was being constructed at a cost of Rs 12.80 crore and executed on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between the Indian Railways and the Chandigarh Administration.
Bittu said, “Previously, whenever a railway over bridge (ROB) was constructed at a specific location, the corresponding level crossing was automatically closed down. This caused considerable inconvenience to nearby shopkeepers, local residents and small-scale traders. The Railways has now adopted a more public-centric policy. Provided it is technically and operationally feasible, a level crossing may be kept operational even after the construction of an ROB. This will safeguard the livelihoods of local residents and ensure continued convenience for the general public.”
He said work on the Dhakoli ROB was set to commence shortly.
Guv travels by e-bus
UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria today took an inspiring step towards energy conservation and environmental protection by travelling to Baltana by an electric bus for the stone-laying ceremony of the road under bridge. He appealed to the staff as well as the general public to make greater use of public transport, electric vehicles, bicycles and other alternative means of transport.
