**Executive Summary**
The document addresses Unstarred Question No. 2904 raised in Lok Sabha concerning the lack of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) / Road Under Bridges (RUBs) in the Dhanbad district, leading to traffic congestion and public hardship. The Ministry of Railways acknowledges the issue and details the steps being taken to address it through the construction and maintenance of ROBs/RUBs. The question was set to be answered on 17.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Problem Statement:**
* Several railway level crossing gates in Dhanbad district lack ROBs/RUBs, causing daily traffic congestion and public hardship.
* The situation is particularly serious at Lilori Gate, Phularitand, Sonardih, and Batua railway crossings due to heavy coal truck traffic.
* Traffic snarls lead to disputes among road users, requiring police intervention.
* **Railway's Response:**
* Elimination of level crossings is a continuous process, prioritizing projects based on safety, train operations, and impact on road users.
* Elimination is achieved by providing ROBs/RUBs, direct closure of level crossings with low traffic, or diversion of road traffic.
* Sanctioning and execution of ROB/RUBs is ongoing and prioritized.
* **Project Status:**
* From 2004-14, 4,148 ROBs/RUBs constructed; from 2014-25 (Oct'25), 13,653 constructed.
* As of 01.11.2025, 4689 ROBs/RUBs sanctioned at the cost of ₹1,11,583 Cr on Indian Railways.
* 147 ROBs/RUBs at a cost of ₹2,707 crore are sanctioned in Jharkhand and are in various stages of planning and execution.
* In Dhanbad district, 58 level crossings exist, with 28 ROBs/RUBs sanctioned in lieu of them, in various stages of planning and execution.
* **Specific Locations and Details:**
* ROB works at LC No. 3/Spl/3T at km 0/15-16 between Katrasgarh-Nichitpur (Lilori Gate) has already been sanctioned.
* The work of preparation of Technical Feasibility Report/Detailed Project Report (TFR/DPR) for the construction of ROB/RUB at LC No. 8/Spl/3T at Km 21/14-16 between Sonardih-Phulwaritand (Phulwaritand Gate) has been taken up.
* The work of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of ROB at LC NO. TB-15 at Km 342/32-34 between Chas-Ispat Nagar (Bhatua gate) has been taken up.
* **Mitigation Measures for Water Logging:**
* Adequate drainage is integrated into new RUB/Subway planning.
* Remedial measures for existing RUBs/subways include water flow diversion, cover sheds, humps, cross drains, and joint sealing.
* Pumping arrangements are in place for identified RUBs, with provisions for traffic stoppage during exceptional rainfall.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens/Commuters in Dhanbad District**
* **Impact:** Reduced traffic congestion, safer level crossings, improved mobility, and potentially fewer disruptions to daily commutes and emergency services.
* **Action Required:** No direct action is required from the citizens, but awareness of upcoming construction activities and adherence to traffic management measures during construction is expected.
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for addressing the issue of traffic congestion and safety hazards at railway crossings in Dhanbad. Requires allocation of resources for construction and maintenance of ROBs/RUBs.
* **Action Required:** Continue prioritization, sanctioning, and execution of ROB/RUB projects. Ensure timely completion of projects, coordination with other agencies for land acquisition and clearances, and adherence to safety and quality standards.
**Road Users/Police/Local Authorities**
* **Impact:** Reduction in traffic disputes, smoother traffic flow, and better enforcement of law and order.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with the Railways during the planning and execution phases of construction. Cooperate to ensure smooth traffic flow and management during the construction period.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary government entity responsible for railways in India, addressed in the question.
Road Over Bridges (ROB)/Road Under Bridges (RUB): Infrastructure projects aimed at replacing railway level crossings to reduce congestion and improve safety.
Dhanbad district: The specific geographic area in India where the lack of ROBs/RUBs is being questioned.
Level Crossings (LCs): Railway crossings at the same level as roads that are potential safety hazards.
Technical Feasibility Report/Detailed Project Report (TFR/DPR): Reports that are necessary for the construction of ROB/RUB
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2904
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
LACK OF ROBs/RUBs IN DHANBAD DISTRICT
2904. SHRI DULU MAHATO:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that several railway level crossing gates in
Dhanbad district still lack Road Over Bridges
(ROB)/underpasses, causing daily traffic congestion and
hardship to the public and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that the situation is particularly serious at
Lilori Gate, Phularitand, Sonardih and Batua railway crossings
where heavy coal trucks and trailers create long queues,
obstructing students, citizens, ambulances and emergency
services and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether ambulances carrying critical patients often get stuck at
these crossings, resulting in delay in reaching hospitals and
even loss of lives and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether frequent traffic snarls at these crossings lead to
disputes among road users, requiring police intervention and
affecting law and order duties and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes construction of underpasses,
overbridges/alternative roads at these crossings with proper
drainage arrangements to prevent waterlogging during monsoon
and ensure smooth traffic movement and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) : Level Crossings are potential safety hazard for both rail androad users. Elimination of level crossings (LCs) is a continuous and
dynamic process of Indian Railway. Such works are taken up on the
basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains &
impact for road users and feasibility etc.
LCs are eliminated either by providing ROBs/ RUBs in lieu of LCs or
through direct closure (for low traffic LCs) or by diversion of road
traffic to nearby ROB/RUB/LC depending upon the site conditions.
Sanctioning and execution of works of Road Over Bridges/ Road Under
Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) 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.
Nos. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the period
2004-14 vis a vis 2014-25 (Oct’25) is as under:
Period ROBs/ RUBs constructed
2004-14 4,148 Nos.
2014-25 13,653 Nos.
(Oct’25)
As on 01.11.2025, 4689 Nos. ROBs/ RUBs are sanctioned at the cost of
₹ 1,11,583 Cr on Indian Railways including 147 Nos. Road Over Bridge
(ROB)/Road Under Bridge (RUB) at a cost of ₹ 2,707 crore in the State
of Jharkhand, which are at various stages of planning and execution.
As on date, 58 Nos LCs exist in Dhanbad district, out of which 28 Nos.
ROBs/RUBs works are sanctioned in lieu of LCs which are at variousstages of planning and execution. The details of mentioned locations
are as under:
S.No. LC Details Remarks
1. LC No. 3/Spl/3T at km 0/15- ROB works at these LCs has
16 between Katrasgarh- already been sanctioned.
Nichitpur (Lilori Gate)
2. LC No. 7/spl/3T at Km 16/45-
47 between Sonardih-
Phulwaritand (Sonardih
gate)
3. LC No. 8/Spl/3T at Km The work of preparation of
21/14-16 between Sonardih- Technical Feasibility Report/
Phulwaritand (Phulwaritand Detailed Project Report
Gate) (TFR/DPR) for the construction
of ROB/RUB at this LC has
been taken up.
4. LC NO. TB-15 at Km 342/32- The work of preparation of
34 between Chas-Ispat Detailed Project Report (DPR)
Nagar (Bhatua gate) for the construction of ROB at
this LC has been taken up.
Completion of ROB/RUB work depends on various factors like, 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, number of
working months in a year for particular project / work sites due toclimatic conditions etc. All these factors affect the completion time of
the projects / works.
Further, Railways have taken several remedial measures to mitigate
the problem of water logging in subways as under:
(i) Adequate drainage arrangement is made as integral part of
planning of new Road Under Bridge (RUB)/Subways.
(ii) In existing RUBs/subways remedial measures like water flow
diversion to nearby bridge and nallahs/drains, provision of cover
shed on approach roads, provision of hump at entry to Road
under Bridge (RUB), provision of cross drains, sealing of joints
etc. are made as per feasibility, suitability and site
requirements.
(iii) Pumping arrangement is also been made for identified RUBs, to
drain out water expeditiously in case of emergency and
provision to stop road traffic in exceptional/unusual rainfall
situation for safety of road users.
*****