New pedestrian subway to enhance safety at Polur railway crossing near Tiruvannamalai

A new pedestrian subway that will be built across the manned railway level crossing (LC 80) at Polur town near Tiruvannamalai to provide safe passage to commuters to reach the railway station from newly opened Road Over Bridge (ROB). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A new pedestrian subway will be constructed across the manned railway level crossing (LC 80) at Polur town near Tiruvannamalai to provide safe passage for commuters travelling between the railway station and the newly opened Road Over Bridge (ROB).

The ₹30-crore new ROB, which ended a detour of at least 10 km for residents, was inaugurated by the Minister for Public Works and Highways, E.V. Velu, in the presence of Collector K. Tharpagaraj in May.

However, the bridge lacks facilities such as staircases or a pedestrian subway to ensure safe passage for commuters between the bridge and the railway station. As a result, pedestrians, including school students and office workers, cross the railway tracks to reach the bridge and railway station. “Despite steel railings having been installed to prevent trespassing, especially crossing the tracks, commuters risk themselves to reach the railway station as they find it a shortcut to access the facility,” said B. Vimal, a commuter.

Officials from State Highways, who will build the new subway jointly with Southern Railway, said the pedestrian subway is part of the bridge project near the railway station. The subway will be built along the approach roads of the bridge to provide safe access for commuters to the railway station. “Once the railway officials approve the proposed subway, work will commence. The new subway will be ready for use in three months,” J. Babu, Assistant Divisional Engineer, State Highways (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.

The station, one of the oldest in the region, handles around 15 trains daily, mostly express and passenger trains, and serves over 6,000 passengers across its three platforms. Most commuters are pilgrims traveling to Tirupati and the Arunchaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai town, as many trains run between Villupuram and Tirupati railway stations.

According to the plan, the new subway will be 100 metres long, 4 metres wide, and 2.75 metres high. It will be built at a cost of ₹3 crore. To prevent flooding during the monsoon, the subway will be constructed at least 1.5 feet higher than the existing road level.

Additionally, retaining walls with stormwater drains will help discharge excess rainwater from the tracks into nearby storage pits. Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings will be provided. Staircases connecting the bridge to the railway station are also being constructed.

Residents said that most schools, colleges, bus stands, government offices, and banks are located on one side of the railway level crossing, while residential colonies are on the opposite side. The recently opened bridge and the proposed pedestrian subway will help them commute safely.

Published - June 04, 2025 11:33 pm IST