Indian Railways approves foot overbridge construction at Kathouli village level crossing

The Indian Railways has officially granted approval for the construction of a foot overbridge at the railway gate situated near Kathouli village, located on the busy Delhi-Howrah rail route in Meja. This much-awaited infrastructure project aims to provide a safe passage for everyday residents, effectively replacing the current risky level crossing.

On Monday, September 7, 2026, a joint team comprising officials from the railway department and the National Highway-35 authority conducted a comprehensive site survey to finalize the infrastructure plans. Notable officials in attendance included R.N. Singh from the railway department and Ashish Patel from NH-35. The major initiative for this community development is credited to the relentless efforts of Member of Parliament Ujjwal Raman Singh.

Technical Feasibility and Survey Findings

Technical assessments conducted during the site visit revealed that constructing a vehicular underpass or a full vehicle overbridge is currently unfeasible at this specific location. This limitation is particularly due to the impending four-laning project of NH-35. Consequently, the planning authorities determined that a pedestrian foot overbridge is the only viable and safe solution to facilitate smooth movement across the tracks.

Local Reaction and Community Impact

Local villagers from Kathouli and surrounding areas actively participated in the discussions during the site inspection. The residents have expressed significant satisfaction with the project's rapid progress, noting that the new foot overbridge will greatly enhance daily commuting safety and prevent accidents along this crucial section of the Delhi-Howrah rail route.