Pic: Second railway gate in Belagavi, where the Railway Over Bridge (ROB) is planned. Belagavi: In a strong show of public opposition, hundreds of residents and shopkeepers from Tilakwadi, Belagavi wrote letters to PM Narendra Modi urging him to intervene and halt the construction of a proposed railway overbridge (ROB) at the 2nd Railway Gate. Instead, they are advocating for an elevated railway track on viaducts as a more sustainable and less disruptive alternative.Residents, particularly from Buda A scheme No. 8 colony, requested the PM to direct authorities to maintain the status quo of level crossing LC-382. Last month, the group met Union minister of state for railways V Somanna to voice their concerns. Disappointed by the lack of a concrete response, the residents escalated the issue to the PMO.According to the residents, the proposed ROB will significantly impact daily life by cutting off access to vital amenities such as schools, hospitals, and markets. The area hosts seven schools and ten nurseries, with nearly 6,000 students relying on the existing road network. They argue that the proposed narrow ROB design is unsafe for students, cyclists, and elderly residents.Locals also pointed out that the ROB is unscientifically planned, noting that four overbridges are already proposed within a 2-kilometre radius. Small businesses in the vicinity fear shutdown, resulting in job loss and an economic downturn. Further, the plan involves demolition of a century-old Ganesh temple, which has triggered cultural and religious concerns.As an alternative, the residents proposed raising the railway track on elevated viaducts. They argue that elevated rail lines would not only reduce ground-level disruption but also enhance safety by eliminating level crossing, improve train speed, and support long-term urban planning.Railways awards Rs 32.4 croreThe ROB project was approved by the railway dept in 2018, and the contract was awarded on Feb 21, 2025, at an estimated cost of Rs 32.4 crore. However, resistance began when soil testing was attempted at the site, with locals preventing the agency from conducting preliminary investigations.In a letter dated July 16, the deputy chief engineer (construction), Hubballi division of railways, informed the Belagavi DC that the dept intends to proceed with the approved straight alignment. The letter states that alternative T-type alignments would violate Indian Roads Congress (IRC) design codes. The required land acquisition of 220.20 square metres was sanctioned on Feb 6.The railways requested the DC’s intervention, noting that delays could affect the scheduled commissioning of the project by Dec 2026.
