The proposed construction of an underpass at Railway Gate number 218 between Babhnan-Gaur railway stations in Basti district has been halted. Indian Railways took this decision due to technical issues found during the soil testing process. As a result, the railway gate will not be closed for now, providing relief to the local residents.
Why was the underpass work stopped?
The project was stopped because the soil test reports were not satisfactory. The soil was found unsuitable to bear the load of the underpass. Additionally, there were concerns regarding waterlogging issues during the rainy season. To ensure passenger safety, the Lucknow Division decided to halt the work immediately.
What happened to the initial construction?
The contractor, Vidhyut Kumar Jain Construction Company from Lucknow, had already installed sheet piles at the site. Following the technical failure report, the railway administration ordered the removal of these piles. Approximately 40 lakh rupees were spent on the installation of these sheet piles, which have now been uprooted.
What is the current status of Gate 218?
Lucknow Division PRO Mahesh Gupta and IOW Basti SB Singh confirmed that Gate 218 will continue to operate as usual. Since the underpass is no longer being built at this spot, there is no immediate plan to close the gate. The railway authorities mentioned that they will consider alternative plans in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the underpass not being built at Gate 218?
The work was stopped because soil testing showed the ground was not strong enough to hold the underpass load and there was a risk of waterlogging during rains.
Will the railway gate be closed for traffic?
No, the railway gate 218 will remain operational as usual since the underpass construction has been halted.