Railway officials reluctant to consturct subway

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 1. — The Malda railway authorities today said that they are not interested in seeking funds and permission from its headquarters for the construction of a subway under the Rathbari level crossing. A few days ago, the English Bazaar Munici-pality officials had discussed the matter with the Malda divisional railway manager, Mr Rakesh Mishra, seeking his permission for the construction of the much-needed subway at Rathbari. “There is a fly-over at the Rathbari level crossing. How could we seek funds from my department for the construction of a subway here,” a Malda divisional official said. There is another small subway within 1 km from the Rathbari level crossing. So, it is not possible for the higher authorities to sanction the project proposed by the English Bazaar civic body. “It is too expensive and difficult to build a subway here,” another railway official said. A senior railway official said: “The estimated cost of the subway would be more than Rs 50 lakh. If the English Bazaar civic body can provide funds for the construction of the subway, we they should go and seek permission from other higher authorities.” It may be recalled that past many years, thousands of locals including the government employees of rental housing estate located on the western side of the railway tracks had been demanding a subway for smooth traffic movement. Though there is a flyover but locals cannot use it. A lot of people depend on the road under the flyover, where the level crossing is an obstruction. After every 15 minutes the rail gate is closed for train movement via Malda. Particularly during the peak school and office timings, traffic congestion is common feature when hundreds of rickshaws are lined up when trains pass through Rathbari level crossing. In last five years, population on the western side of the railway tracks has increased as the town has expanded, creating more and more traffic problems.