Trivandrum: Due to the Kerala Government’s inability to bear its agreed-upon 50% cost of ROBs, the Railway has decided to bear 100% of the cost of 55 ROBs in Kerala in public interest. A total of 126 ROBs in lieu of busy Level Crossings have been sanctioned in Kerala on a 50% cost-sharing basis between the Railway and the State Government as per the standard model.
However, the State Govt has not been able to provide funds for their agreed share, leading to the languishing of most of these important projects of public interest for years. Prioritising public safety, Southern Railway has taken the novel initiative to fully fund the 55 most critical ROBs by dispensing the mandatory requirement of 50% funding by the State Govt, and the execution of these has also been entrusted to KRDCL (A JV Company under the State) as a single entity. However, the work on these 55 ROBs has still not been commenced by KRDCL, either on account of non-approval of plans by the State or due to pending land acquisition of approach roads or due to non-finalisation of contracts in some cases.
Out of 55 ROBs identified for 100% funding by Railway so far, Kerala Govt. has been able to finalise the plans and process Land Acquisition only on 18 ROBs which have been promptly re-sanctioned by Railway with 100% funding and funds to the tune of ₹95 crores have already been transferred to State Govt towards their Land cost. These 18 ROBs need to be completed by KRDCL within 18 months. The plan approval and Land Acquisition for the balance 37 ROBs agreed for 100% funding by the Railway, are long awaited from the State, though many of these are highly congested crossings.
The out of way decision of the Railways for 100% funding of 55 ROBs is unprecedented and demonstrates its strong commitment towards public safety and seamless transport across Kerala state. Besides the above 55 ROBs, there are 65 more ROBs sanctioned on busy Level crossings in the state of Kerala, which are also held up for years either due to non-availability of funds with the state or due to non-approval of plans and failure to acquire the land by State Govt/KRDCL/RBDCK for approaches.