NOC not mandatory to open the Mahakalipadpu RuB as claimed by Mangaluru Smart City, says Railways

Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division on Friday, January 2, said, “The request for a No Objection Certificate [NOC], as claimed by the local authorities, is not a mandatory requirement from the Railways for opening the Railway Under Bridge [RuB] to public traffic.”

The Division was responding to a news article, titled “Mahakalipadpu twin RuB opening caught in bureaucratic hassles”,which appeared in The Hindu columns on January 1, concerning the Mahakalipadpu twin Railway Underbridge at Jeppu missing one more deadline.

The railways said, “The Railway portion of the work has already been completed, and as per established procedure, the facility can be opened for public use by the concerned authorities once the remaining approach and allied works under their jurisdiction are completed and statutory requirements are complied with.”

It said that the clarification is being issued to dispel the impression that the opening of the twin RuB has been delayed due to hurdles or inaction on the part of the Railways. There have been no procedural delays, administrative hurdles or intentional hold-ups from the Railway.

The Division said all works within the jurisdiction and scope of Southern Railway were completed by December 15, well in time. The execution was carried out strictly in accordance with approved General Arrangement Drawings (GAD), Technical Approval Drawings (TAD), Railway Board instructions and relevant safety and engineering provisions.

The project has already received sanction from the competent Railway authority with clear stipulations relating to quality assurance, drainage arrangements, structural safety, electrical safety in electrified territory and post-work certification. As per established Railway procedure, it was clearly conveyed that the RuB could be opened for traffic on submission of the prescribed safety certificate, without requiring any further inspection from Railway Headquarters.

The balance works required for commissioning the RuB — approach roads, traffic integration and readiness for vehicular moveme — fall under the purview of the local/State government authorities concerned.

The Division reiterated that it is fully supportive of the early opening of the Mahakalipadpu twin RuB in the interest of public convenience and improved traffic flow.