The Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar (MCJ), has written to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Northern Railway, Ferozepur Division, seeking the immediate stoppage of work on the under-construction railway underbridge (RUB) near crossing gate C-7 on the Jalandhar–Nakodar rail line.
The letter also calls for an urgent joint meeting of all stakeholders to resolve critical public safety and design concerns.
The Commissioner’s intervention comes close on the heels of a detailed representation submitted by residents of Urban Estate, Phase I, Jalandhar, to the DRM, Northern Railway, highlighting concerns over serious design flaws in the RUB that could lead to flooding and sewerage leaks..
In a letter dated May 12, submitted by the Urban Estate Welfare Society, Phase-1, Jalandhar, to the DRM, society president Amarjit Singh pointed out that the proposed underpass — measuring only 5-metre wide and 3.50 metres high — is an awkward U-shaped structure with steep slopes, insufficient height and width, and absolutely no pedestrian footpath. The design can barely accommodate small cars, auto-rickshaws and carts. More alarmingly, he highlighted that the underpass is located immediately adjacent to a large sewerage line, making it highly prone to flooding.
Copies of the letter were also marked to the Deputy Commissioner and the MCJ Commissioner, Jalandhar.
The Commissioner’s letter confirms that the construction site has been generating continuous complaints from residents, commuters and local stakeholders regarding traffic congestion, restricted movement, drainage failures, safety hazards and lack of any public facilitation arrangement.
The letter requests the DRM to stop construction work temporarily with immediate effect and convene a joint meeting at the earliest between Northern Railway officers, MC officers and other stakeholders to resolve all pending issues, including public safety, traffic management, drainage arrangements, execution methodology and timelines for completion.
Resident Harvinder Chugh held detailed discussions with DRM Sanjeev Kumar and ADRM Nitin Garg and later with General Manager RK Pandey. DRM Sanjeev Kumar said the project is currently being executed up to the safety measures phase for road and railway traffic at the site. He added that once this phase is complete, a meeting will be convened with the DC, MCJ officials and residents for a technical review.
Resident Col Ranjit Singh, who is pursuing the matter, stated that any site selected for such a project must involve locals from the very outset, and nothing should be unilaterally imposed by the Railways. He cautioned that bypassing residents in the decision-making process would result in a complete waste of public expenditure, with no benefit to the community whatsoever.
Residents Bhupinder singh, BS Kakkar, Dr PS Aneja, Raja Dhillon and Paramjit Singh also supported the argument.
