Travellers and local commuters in Uttar Pradesh need to plan their journeys carefully as the Sareyan railway crossing in Unnao is scheduled to remain closed for 36 hours to facilitate crucial girder launching and ongoing construction work for a new Railway Over Bridge. During this temporary closure period, all road traffic will be systematically diverted through the Marhala intersection to ensure smooth vehicular movement while heavy construction proceeds safely at the site.
Key updates on the Sareyan ROB project include:
– 36-hour total closure of the Sareyan railway crossing for bridge construction works.
– Traffic diversion via Marhala intersection to manage vehicle flow during the shutdown.
– Joint venture project between Uttar Pradesh Rajya Setu Nigam handling 70% and the railway department handling 30%.
– Revised budget of ₹100 crore, scaling up from the initial ₹74 crore sanctioned in 2016-17 due to inflation and GST adjustments.
– 90% physical progress achieved by Setu Nigam as of May 2026, with only minor finishing tasks remaining.
Project Progress and Background
The initiative to build this vital overbridge was originally started around February 2021 to ease chronic traffic congestion at the busy level crossing. Over the years, the project faced several historical delays primarily driven by design modifications and technical complexities. Constructing over active tracks on the heavily congested Kanpur-Lucknow route demands strict safety protocols, especially due to the overhead 25,000-volt electrical lines that power high-speed trains in the section.
Current Status and Completion Outlook
As of May 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Setu Nigam has successfully completed approximately 90 percent of its assigned construction scope. While the major structural components are largely in place, a few finishing tasks such as protective painting, approach road detailing, and railing installations are still pending. Railway authorities and district administration expect this temporary 36-hour blockade to pave the way for the much-awaited commissioning of the bridge, providing long-term relief to thousands of daily commuters travelling between Unnao and surrounding areas.