While there is no sign of the Mahakalipadpu double rail underbridge (RuB) being opened for traffic on Saturday, January 3, the Southern Railway has said that a no-objection certificate from the railways is not mandatory to open the RuB for traffic in Mangaluru. | Photo credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Southern Railway’s Palakkad division said on Friday, January 2, “Application for No Objection Certificate (NOC), as claimed by local authorities, is not a mandatory requirement by the Railways for opening the Railway Under Bridge (RuB) to public traffic.”
The division was reacting to a newspaper article titled “Opening of RuB Mahakalipadpu twin hit bureaucratic snags” which appeared in the Hindu columns on January 1 and related to the Mahakalipadpu twin railway underbridge at Jeppu which is one more term short.
The railways said: “The rail portion of the work has already been completed and as per established procedure, the facility may be opened for public use by the concerned authorities once the remaining access and associated works under their jurisdiction are completed and statutory requirements are met.”
It said the clarification is being issued to dispel the impression that the opening of the RuB twin has been delayed due to roadblocks or inaction on the part of the railways. There were no procedural delays, administrative obstacles or deliberate obstacles on the part of the railway.
Work completed in the jurisdiction of the railway
The division said that all works within the jurisdiction and scope of the Southern Railway were completed by December 15, well in advance. The execution was carried out strictly in accordance with the approved General Layout Drawings (GAD), Technical Approval Drawings (TAD), Railway Authority guidelines and relevant safety and technical regulations.
The project has already received approval from the relevant railway authority with clear provisions regarding quality assurance, drainage measures, structural safety, electrical safety in the electrified area and certification after completion of work. As per established railway procedure, it has been clearly communicated that RuB can be opened for operation on submission of prescribed safety certificate without requiring any further inspection by the Directorate of Railways.
The balancing work required to put the RuB into operation – approach roads, traffic integration and readiness for vehicle movement – falls under the competence of the relevant local/state government bodies.
The division reiterated its full support for early opening of Mahakalipadpu twin RuB for public convenience and better traffic.
Published – 03 Jan 2026 13:00 IST
