Residents of Harmilap Nagar and Baltana can look forward to smoother commutes as the Raipur Kalan railway underpass project (RUB-123) finally gains momentum. The Chandigarh Administration has released an initial installment of ₹2 crore from its ₹6.40 crore share to Northern Railway. This financial move comes after significant delays in land acquisition and funding approvals that had previously stalled the tender process for this critical infrastructure project.
Project Timeline and Estimated Costs
Northern Railway has set an ambitious target to complete the underpass by the end of 2026. Senior officials from the Ambala Railway Division confirmed that the construction work is expected to start by late April 2026. The delay in starting the project has led to a significant increase in the total budget. Initially estimated at ₹7.99 crore in 2021-22, the project cost has now risen to approximately ₹12.81 crore.
- Total Budget: ₹12.81 Crore
- Funding Pattern: 50-50 share between UT Administration and Railways
- Expected Start Date: April 2026
- Target Completion: December 2026
Land Acquisition and Funding Status
The land acquisition process for about 0.74 acres in Raipur Kalan village is in its final stages. Procedures under Section 21 are expected to be finished by April 6, 2026, which will allow the physical work to begin on-site. The project recently received a boost when the UT Administrator approved the administrative funds after persistent efforts from local representatives and the RUB-123 Struggle Committee.
| Requirement | Status Update |
|---|---|
| Land Acquisition | Final stage, completion by April 2026 |
| UT Administration Share | ₹2 crore released out of ₹6.40 crore |
| Tender Process | E-tenders opened on February 13, 2026 |
| Primary Beneficiaries | Residents of Harmilap Nagar and Baltana |
Local authorities and the Northern Railway team are coordinating to ensure the remaining ₹4.40 crore from the UT Administration is released soon. The completion of this underpass will eliminate the frequent traffic jams at the Raipur Kalan railway crossing, providing much-needed relief to thousands of daily commuters in the region.