Indian Railways approves new road overbridge on Western Railway section
Indian Railways has officially approved the construction of a modern four-lane Road Over Bridge on the busy Udhna-Ukai Songadh section of Western Railway to improve safety and traffic flow. This crucial infrastructure upgrade is planned on a cost-sharing basis with the state government to eliminate busy level crossings and enhance train operational efficiency. Key highlights of this major railway infrastructure project include:
- Total sanctioned project cost of Rs 133.2295 crore to be shared equally between Indian Railways and the state government.
- Railway bridge portion featuring an Open Web Girder estimated at Rs 91.60 crore, addressing a complex 62 percent skew location.
- Viaduct and approach portions spanning 311.58 metres and 524.32 metres respectively.
- Broader network expansion updates including recent CCEA approval for three major multitracking projects worth Rs 10,783 crore.
Project Financials and Design Complexity
The total estimated cost for the construction of the four-lane Road Over Bridge is Rs 133.2295 crore. The funding is equally divided, with the railway share at Rs 66.6147 crore and the state government share at Rs 66.6148 crore. Engineering teams face unique design and construction challenges due to a 62 percent skew at the crossing location. To overcome this, the bridge will incorporate an Open Web Girder for the railway portion. Additionally, the project includes a viaduct portion with a total length of 311.58 metres costing Rs 19.98 crore and a Railway Approach portion with a length of 524.32 metres costing Rs 10.25 crore.
Benefits for Passengers and Road Users
The primary goal of this grade-separated infrastructure is to facilitate the smoother movement of road traffic while completely eliminating interference with train operations. For daily commuters and railway passengers, this translates to improved operational efficiency, enhanced safety, and greater punctuality on the Udhna-Ukai Songadh section.
Recent Multitracking Approvals Across India
In related infrastructure developments, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved three major railway multitracking projects worth Rs 10,783 crore across five states. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, these projects will add about 656 km to the Indian Railways network by 2029-30. Covering parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the approved routes include the Kharagpur-Jharsuguda fourth line, Katni-Pendra Road fourth line, and Bilaspur-Pendra Road third line. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these initiatives will improve connectivity for around 4,790 villages and boost access to key tourist and pilgrimage spots like the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Amarkantak.