Indian Railways is continuously enhancing passenger convenience and comfort by constructing more Foot Over Bridges. FOBs are typically made of steel or concrete and can be either open or enclosed. Open Foot Over Bridges are more common, as they are less expensive to build and maintain. Enclosed FOBs are used in areas with extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow. Over the years Indian Railways steadily constructing Foot Over Bridges.
Indian Railways’ pace of Foot Over Bridge (FOB) construction over the past years has increased steadily, continually enhancing passenger safety and convenience. FOBs are common in India, as they are a safe and convenient way for people to cross railway tracks. FOBs are an important part of the Indian Railways infrastructure, as they help to ensure the safety of passengers. FOBs are also a valuable asset to communities, as they make it easier for people to get around and access public transportation. Here is the list of how many FOBs constructed over the years since 2014:
2014-17
146
2017-20
595
2020-23
968
The Indian Railways has been working to improve the quality of its FOBs. The Railways has been installing new FOBs and upgrading existing FOBs to make them more accessible and user-friendly. Indian Railways has also been working to improve the safety of FOBs by installing lighting, CCTV cameras and security guards.
As a result of these efforts, FOBs are becoming increasingly popular in India. FOBs are now a common sight in cities and towns across the country. They are playing an important role in making India’s railways safer for pedestrians.
Stainless steel FOB
India’s first-ever stainless steel foot-over-bridge opened to the public at Naupada railway station in Srikakulam district. According to the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), the Codal Life of this stainless steel FOB is estimated to be 125 years. This corrosion-resistant structure is expected to have a significantly longer lifespan compared to traditional mild steel FOBs.
Other than that, the Western Railway also opened its first stainless steel foot over bridge (FOB) at Bhayander station. This FOB is designed for negligible maintenance during the service life, lower life cycle cost and low carbon footprint.
Longest foot over bridge
On August 15, 2014, the longest railway foot over bridge (FOB) in Mumbai was inaugurated for public use at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). Stretching across the suburban and non-suburban sides, this elevated walkway spans 270 meters in length and 5.3 meters in width, seamlessly connecting all 18 platforms at one of Mumbai’s busiest stations. The FOB project, initially planned in 2007, faced delays due to a lack of funds, with construction commencing only in 2012. The construction costs, initially estimated at Rs 4.88 crore, escalated to Rs 7 crore during the construction period.