MADURAI: The Madurai Division of Southern Railway is eager to complete the ‘Lanthai’ subway project in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu at the earliest in the interest of public safety.
“Divisional Railway Manager Mr.Sharad Srivastava of Madurai Division had inspected the ‘Lanthai’ subway location in Ramanathapuram as a part of review from Madurai Junction to Rameswaram on July 6th 2024. He assessed the issues related to pending work which got disrupted since the year 2019 due to public agitation for reinstating the level crossing. The DRM is optimistic about finishing the remaining subway work before the monsoon rainfall and he had appealed to the villagers to cooperate for completing the ‘Lanthai subway work because timely completion is essential to mitigate flooding problems and ensure safety of passengers,” an important press release from Southern Railway Madurai Division on July 8th 2024 has appealed to the villagers, on July 7th 2024.
WHY SUBWAY AT LANTHAI?:
The Railways had started LUS (Limited Use Subway) at Lanthai in August 2016 to ensure safe movement of villagers across the track by eliminating unmanned level crossing No.494 which connects Lanthai village to NH-87.
“This subway is 4.5 meters wide and 3.6 meters high. It is located between Sattirakudi and Ramanathapuram….Works were completed partially..The remaining work was halted deu to protests from village people who are demanding for reinstatement of level crossing gate. Peace committee talks were held there….but only little success. If the works begin soon, water ingress into the subway can be prevented and railway work can be completed before next rainy season monsoon season- October to December. Tasks have been identified by railway officials for this subway project including retaining wall, concrete road, drains, sump and pump house room. This subway will give accessibility routes for pedestrians, carts, cycles and two-wheelers. So far, Rs.1.73 crores was spent on this project,” the railway press release has said.
A senior railway official has said that “This LUS overflows every rain as villagers refuse to let the railways carry out water protection measures including a drain for water flow to low lying area. Water gets collected inside the subway now, and they are not letting the railway workers to install a heavy duty water pump and a pump room there. Our request to the villagers is to please let us complete the work so that water logging doesn’t happen,”.
