Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses questions regarding the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs), particularly in Maharashtra, for eliminating level crossings (LCs). The document outlines the progress of ROB/RUB construction, cost-sharing policies, and factors affecting project completion. It emphasizes safety and mobility improvements in train operations.
Key Points / Main Content:
ROB/RUB Construction Progress:
* From 2014-2025 (up to June 2025), 13,426 ROBs/RUBs were constructed on Indian Railways, including 1,144 in Maharashtra.
* As of 01.07.2025, 4,430 ROBs/RUBs are sanctioned on Indian Railways at a cost of ₹1,03,492 crore, including 282 in Maharashtra at a cost of ₹5,197 crore.
* Sanctioning and execution is ongoing, prioritized by impact on safety, mobility, and road users.
Cost Sharing Policy:
* Railways primarily fund ROB/RUBs for LC elimination, except on National Highway Corridors or when State Governments/Local Authorities take up works at their own cost.
Project Completion Factors:
* Completion depends on State Government cooperation (LC closure consent, approach alignment), GAD approval, land acquisition, encroachment removal, utility shifting, statutory clearances, law and order, and working season duration.
Financial Details:
* Expenditure details are maintained Zonal Railway wise.
*₹8,440 crore have been incurred by five railway zones covering Maharashtra in the last three financial years for road safety works.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
Impact: Responsible for sanctioning, funding (in most cases), and executing ROB/RUB projects to eliminate LCs.
Action Required: Continue prioritizing projects based on safety and mobility impact and coordinate with State Governments for smooth execution.
State Governments (Specifically Maharashtra):
Impact: Required to cooperate in project execution through consent for LC closure, fixing approach alignment and assistance in land acquisition, encroachment removal, and utility shifting.
Action Required: Provide timely cooperation to facilitate project completion and potentially contribute funding for specific projects.
Road Users:
Impact: Benefit from increased safety and reduced travel time through the elimination of LCs.
Action Required: Exercise caution near construction sites and adhere to traffic management plans.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for railway transport.
SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Maharashtra: A state in India where ROBs and RUBs construction is being discussed.
Road Over Bridges Road Under Bridges (ROBsRUBs): Infrastructure projects involving the construction of overpasses and underpasses to replace level crossings.
Level Crossing(LCs): Railway crossings where roads and railway lines intersect at the same level.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
National Highway Corridors: Major road networks where cost-sharing policies for ROB/RUB construction differ.
Central Railway, South Central Railway, South East Central Railway, South Western Railway and Western Railway: Zonal railways covering the state of Maharashtra.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4578
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
CONSTRUCTION OF ROBs/RUBs IN MAHARASHTRA
4578. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of ROBs and RUBs sanctioned, completed and
currently under construction, particularly in Maharashtra as of
July 2025, State-wise;
(b) the projected timeline for the elimination of all manned level
crossings in Maharashtra through the construction of ROBs/RUBs;
(c) the current policy for cost-sharing between the Ministry of
Railways and the respective State Governments for ROB/RUB
projects;
(d) whether there are proposals to revise this funding mechanism to
expedite project completion especially in light of increasing land
acquisition costs;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) the details of allocations made for ROB/RUB projects in the said
State during the last three financial years and the actual
expenditure incurred along with the reasons for underutilisation
of funds, if any?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) : Sanctioning and execution of works of Road Over Bridges/
Road Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) for elimination of Level Crossing(LCs) is a continuous and ongoing process on Indian Railways. Such
works are prioritized and taken up on the basis of its impact on
safety and mobility in train operations and impact on road users.
No. of ROBs/RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the
period 2004-14 vis-a-vis 2014-25 (upto June’25) is as under:
Period ROBs/RUBs constructed (in
Nos.)
2004-14 4,148
2014-25 (upto June’25) 13,426 (including 1,144 Nos. in
the State of Maharashtra)
As on 01.07.2025, 4,430 Nos. ROBs/ RUBs are sanctioned at the
cost of ₹ 1,03,492 crore on Indian Railways, including 282 Nos. Road
Over Bridge (ROB)/Road Under Bridge (RUB) at the cost of ₹ 5,197
crore in the State of Maharashtra, which are at various stages of
planning and execution.
Presently, to improve safety in train operations & mobility of
trains, sanction and execution of ROBs/RUBs in lieu of LCs are taken
up by Railways at its own cost [except LCs on National Highway
Corridors and LCs where State Govt. / Road Owning Authority /
Local Authority want to take up the works at their own cost]. These
works are taken up in phases depending on priority, feasibility and
availability of funds.
The expenditure details are maintained Zonal Railway wise and
not State-wise. The state of Maharashtra is covered by five zones viz.
Central Railway, South Central Railway, South East Central Railway,
South Western Railway and Western Railway. Total ₹ 8,440 crorehave been incurred by these railways during last three financial
years for road safety works.
Completion & commissioning of ROB/RUB works depends on
following factors:-
Cooperation of State Governments in giving consent for
closure of LC,
Fixing of approach alignment,
Approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD),
Land acquisition,
Removal of encroachment, shifting of infringing utilities,
Statutory clearances from various authorities,
Law and order situation in the area of project / work sites,
Duration of working season in a year for the particular project /
area due to climatic conditions etc.
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