RailEnquiry

INDORE: The diversion road on Dhoswas-Ratlam route in Ratlam, according to documents procured by RTI activist Manish Soni, has been constructed on private land. As per Soni, the road constructed in December 2011 flouted the approved plan for convenience of the contractor and officials, causing monetary loss to the railways.As per the RTI, the diversion road (at level crossing 191-192) was to be constructed on railway land inside 21.33 metre land with road width of 5.85 metre but the road stretched upto 41 metres intruding into private land. Sources said that during construction, neither the land was acquired as per land acquisition act 1894 nor approved plan was looked into.Soni said that the matter was brought to the notice of the authorities concerned three months back. He added, "Railway officials ignored the rule violations during inspections, and despite then DRM being aware of the issue, no action has been taken till date."

Officials are meanwhile undertaking the work of manning, building level height subways (LHS) and making diversion roads to check accidents on the railway track due to unmanned level crossing gates across the division. According to official sources, four diversion roads will be constructed in 2012-13 in the division.

Reportedly, the owner of the private land has also written to the railway authority, citing violation of the rules.

PRO of Ratlam division, Pradeep Sharma said that a joint survey with the contractor and railway officials will be carried out on Thursday and in case any irregularity in construction work is found, necessary changes will be made.

"The railway administration is delaying the investigation process despite cognizance into the matter was taken. Railways may have to construct again a major part of the diversion road if report is clean," he added.