In a major relief to the residents of Vadodara, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that a railway over bridge (ROB) will be built over the Alkapuri railway underpass, The Indian Express reported. This underpass faces flooding during the monsoon season which causes traffic snarls during peak hours.
Commuters traveling from the North-Central areas of Fatehgunj and Sayajigunj to the western parts of the city often face significant inconvenience due to these traffic snarls.
Officials stated that the Railway Ministry has approved the construction of the ROB over the main line of the busy Vadodara Railway Junction, following multiple representations by Vadodara Lok Sabha MP Hemang Joshi and his predecessor, Ranjan Bhatt.
The Alkapuri railway underpass, commonly referred to as the ‘garnala’, serves as a vital commuting link within the city.
Speaking at an event to inaugurate development projects worth Rs 616 crore by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, the Chief Minister announced that Vadodara will soon receive the gift of a railway overbridge near the Alkapuri underpass.
Officials highlighted that clearance from the railways was a critical step toward the project. In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier this year, Vadodara Lok Sabha MP Hemang Joshi noted, “During peak hours, it becomes a major point of traffic congestion, causing inconvenience to commuters and affecting overall productivity. Additionally, during the monsoon season, the underpass often gets inundated, necessitating its closure and further aggravating traffic woes. This situation also hampers emergency services, posing a risk to public safety.”
