BALTANA, July 16 — After nearly seven years of delays, the Raipur Kalan–Harmilap Nagar railway underbridge (RUB) project has finally advanced, with the Chandigarh Administration issuing a notification to acquire approximately 0.74 acres of land in Raipur Kalan for construction at level crossing No. 123-C.
The underbridge, long demanded by residents of Harmilap Nagar, Baltana, and surrounding areas, is expected to ease traffic congestion caused by frequent closures at the level crossing. The project had been stalled for years due to delays in land acquisition on both sides of the railway line.
Officials confirmed that the Punjab Government has now also approved land acquisition on its side, paving the way for the much-awaited infrastructure work to begin.
According to a Social Impact Assessment report, the acquisition will not result in displacement of residents, but two families from Raipur Kalan village will lose agricultural land as part of the process.
Partap Singh Rana, husband of Usha Rani, the councillor representing Harmilap Nagar, said the detailed project report had been ready since 2017. “The acquisition process was supposed to be completed by January this year, with construction scheduled to begin in April,” he said. “It’s a long-pending demand of the local community, and it finally looks like it’s on the verge of becoming a reality.”
The RUB project, once completed, is expected to significantly reduce commute time, improve road safety, and ease the pressure on the narrow stretch currently choked by rail-induced traffic snarls.
