Administrative Red Tape: Why the Baltana Railway Underbridge Remains Stalled Despite UT Approval

Possession of this land is required before the money can be released to the Railways. File Photo.

The long-awaited Road Underbridge (RUB) at the Raipur Kalan-Harmilap Nagar level crossing in Baltana faces a fresh round of delays. Despite project approval from Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the Chandigarh Administration is yet to transfer its Rs 6.40 crore share (50% of the total cost) to the Railway authorities.

While the Northern Railway recently opened e-bids for the project, utilising a "normal pushing" technique to avoid disrupting train traffic, physical work cannot be allotted until the funds are deposited. Officials stated that the transfer is currently tied to the pending land acquisition of approximately 5 kanals and 19 marlas. Possession of this land is required before the money can be released to the Railways.

Conceived seven years ago, the project has seen its cost balloon from Rs 7.99 crore in 2021 to Rs 12.81 crore due to administrative inertia. The crossing is a major bottleneck for thousands of daily commuters from Zirakpur, Baltana, Dhakoli, and Panchkula.

Highlighting the growing public anger, Partap Singh Rana, chairman of the Joint Action Committee, has threatened an indefinite fast if the funds are not transferred immediately. Once the contract is finally awarded, the project will still require an additional 12 months for completion, leaving residents trapped in traffic for the foreseeable future.

Source: The Tribune