"Kallumthazham ROB's GAD Receives Approval from Railway Authorities"

In a significant step forward, the Railways have granted approval for the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) of the Kallumthazam Rail-Over Bridge (ROB). This approval comes after the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala, the executing agency for the project, initially submitted the GAD in 2019. Subsequently, it was approved with some necessary modifications.

According to M. Naushad, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), the revised GAD was meticulously prepared, considering the potential construction of third and fourth railway lines. The project received its initial financial allocation from the State government's budget in 2017 for the construction of the ROB at No. 77 level crossing on Kuttichira Road in Kallumthazham.

Key milestones in this endeavor include the administrative sanction granted in July 2017, and the appointment of the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) as the implementing agency. In March 2019, an allocation of ₹30.93 crore was sanctioned from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to facilitate construction and land acquisition.

The Kallumthazham railway level-crossing was included in the Railways' 2017-18 Programme, as per the State government's request. Subsequently, an administrative sanction was issued on October 30, 2019, to initiate the land acquisition process. The ROB project, which originates from the bypass, also requires approval from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its design. RBDCK has initiated the approval process with NHAI, and land acquisition will commence following NHAI's clearance.

MLA M. Naushad also reported that the Eravipuram ROB project, costing ₹37.14 crore, is approaching completion, and land acquisition for the Mayanad ROB will conclude this month. For the Mayanad ROB, a total of one acre and 23 cents of land will be acquired from 68 landowners.

Upon the completion of land acquisition, RBDCK, as the implementing agency, will promptly initiate the tendering process. The State government has allocated funds from KIIFB for the construction of six ROBs in the Kollam constituency, aligning with the broader objective of eliminating level crossings in the state. Allocations have been made for additional ROB projects in Kootikkada (₹52.24 crore), SN College Junction (₹44.66 crore), and Polayathod (₹31.93 crore), demonstrating the government's commitment to enhancing railway infrastructure and safety.

THE HINDU