Bikaner Lalgarh Railway Overbridge project remains incomplete after seven years, funding request made to government

The construction of the Lalgarh Railway Overbridge in Bikaner has been facing continuous delays since it was first approved in 2017. Although the project was started during the tenure of the previous government, it remains unfinished as of 2024. Local residents are facing significant difficulties due to the slow pace of work at this major railway crossing.

Current budget status and funding details for the Lalgarh ROB

The project is being developed with a total sanctioned budget of 82.10 crore rupees. This cost is shared equally between the Indian Railways and the Rajasthan state government on a 50-50 basis. While the state government has already released 25.68 crore rupees, there is still a pending amount of approximately 16.62 crore rupees required to complete the project.

• Cabinet Minister Sumit Godara has requested the Chief Minister to release 10 crore rupees on priority.
• Legal hurdles and issues with contractors have contributed to the seven-year delay.
• District Collector Namrata Vrishni is coordinating with the RSRDC to monitor progress.
• The funding is essential to ensure that the remaining construction work can be finished quickly.

Key railway development projects in the Bikaner and Lalgarh region

Apart from the overbridge, several other railway infrastructure projects are currently planned or underway in the Bikaner area. These projects aim to improve connectivity and station facilities for passengers.

The redevelopment of Lalgarh station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme includes new toilet blocks, improved entry gates, and better parking facilities. Meanwhile, the doubling of the 11-kilometer rail line between Bikaner East and Lalgarh is expected to reduce traffic congestion for trains entering the city.