Title - Work on Bijlinagar railway foot overbridge to be completed next week

Construction work of the railway foot overbridge (FOB) at Bijlinagar near Akurdi is expected to be completed this Sunday as the Pimpri Chinchwad New Township Development Authority (PCNTDA) has received the railways' approval for laying the girders for the bridge. PCNTDA executive engineer V K Patil said, "The FOB will be 55 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. The railways will be implementing a mega block between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday."Though the construction of the FOB began in November 2010, the work has since been dragging. Only the construction of the staircases on either sides has been completed.The railway track near Bijlinagar has a number of residential localities, shops and other establishments on either sides. It was difficult for people to spot an on-coming train because of a curve of the track. The fact that a few people lost their lives on the tracks made the FOB a necessity here.Akurdi resident Seema Jadhav said the PCNTDA should expedite the construction work. Another resident, Kailas Mane, said many accidents have occurred at Bijlinagar due to the absence of an FOB.The footpaths for reaching the FOB have to be constructed. The FOB will be opened in about a month's time, said Patil.PCNTDA has also proposed a new railway subway at Akurdi. At present, a rail underbridge is used by people driving from Akurdi towards Ravet and other areas. However, the rail underbridge is not suitable for vehicular traffic as it is narrow. It also faces waterlogging during rainy season.An official with the engineering department of PCNTDA said bids for a new subway were invited in March 2010. The cost of the project is Rs 8.10 crore. "Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), cars, rickshaws and two wheelers can use the subway. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed in the subway. This subway will benefit the residents of Akurdi, Nigdi, Ravet and nearby areas", the official said.