The Bengaluru division of the South Western Railway (SWR) has identified 128 level crossing gates to be decommissioned within a 100 km radius of the city over the next three years.
This follows a July directive by Minister of State for Railways V Somann, who directed officials to cancel all level crossings in the zone to enhance both railway and road safety.
The removal of these level crossings will be followed by the construction of over-bridges (ROBs) and under-bridges (RUBs), according to railway officials. These constructions are expected to not only improve road connectivity but also ensure safer and faster movement for both motorists and rail users.
“At many of these level crossings, motorists are forced to wait 15 to 20 minutes each time a train passes. By replacing them with ROBs and RUBs, we aim to significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve commuting,” said an SWR official.
Why will the level crossings be cancelled?
Reduces traffic congestion
Ensures smoother operation
Improves safety on rail and road
Saves commuting time
Improves connectivity
Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE), a special purpose vehicle (SPV), is also contributing to the effort by planning to remove 26 level crossings by constructing new bridges and underpasses. This work will be taken up under the 149 km Bengaluru Suburban Rail project, which is currently in various stages of implementation.
An official said, “Uninterrupted road movement over these bridges will drastically reduce waiting time at manned level crossings, which are currently a major source of congestion in several parts of Bengaluru and its suburbs.”
Creating gridlocks
Commuters have long expressed concerns about heavy traffic near these crossings. Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Munnekollal near Marathahalli, pointed out that the railway gate in his locality closes twice an hour, leading to serious bottlenecks.
“Every time a train passes, four-wheelers line up on one side, while two-wheelers squeeze into every available space, even occupying the opposite lane. When the gate reopens, vehicles from both sides are face-locked and have no room to move. It often takes 30 to 40 minutes to clear the congestion during peak hours,” he said, adding that an underpass is urgent in an overpass or underpass area.
Published – 29 Oct 2025 20:37 IST
