Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4535 regarding Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) in Tamil Nadu. As of April 1, 2025, 235 ROBs/RUBs were sanctioned, with 144 sanctioned between 2020-June 2025, and 250 completed during the same period. The response outlines the status of these projects, reasons for delays, and measures taken to expedite their completion.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **ROBs/RUBs Sanctioned and Under Construction:**
* As of 01.04.2025, 235 ROBs/RUBs sanctioned in Tamil Nadu, including 104 on a cost-sharing basis.
* 82 ROBs/RUBs are held up due to State Government-related issues.
* From 2020-June 2025, 144 ROBs/RUBs were sanctioned, including 32 on a cost-sharing basis.
* 250 ROBs/RUBs completed during 2020-June 2025.
* **Reasons for Delays:**
* Delay in Land Acquisition by State Government (22 ROBs/RUBs).
* Lack of Consent for Closure of LC by State Government (26 ROBs/RUBs).
* Finalization of Alignment by State Government (23 ROBs/RUBs).
* Law and Order/Public Protest (11 ROBs/RUBs).
* **Measures to Expedite Progress:**
* Joint surveys with State Government/Road Owning Authority.
* Periodic meetings of Railway/State Government officials.
* Standardization of superstructure drawings to avoid design approval delays.
* **Factors Affecting Completion:**
* Cooperation of State Governments.
* Fixing of approach alignment.
* Approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD).
* Land acquisition and removal of encroachments.
* Shifting of infringing utilities.
* Statutory clearances.
* Law and order situation.
* Duration of working season.
* **ROBs/RUBs Construction Numbers:**
* 2004-14: 4,148 ROBs/RUBs constructed.
* 2014-June 2025: 13,426 ROBs/RUBs constructed (747 in Tamil Nadu).
Impact Analysis:
State Government of Tamil Nadu:
* Impact: Responsible for land acquisition, granting consent for level crossing closures, and finalizing alignments, which directly impacts the progress of ROB/RUB projects. Delays in these areas are holding up a significant number of projects.
* Action Required: Expedite land acquisition processes, provide timely consent for level crossing closures, and finalize alignments to facilitate the smooth execution of ROB/RUB projects.
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Oversees the sanctioning, prioritization, and execution of ROB/RUB projects. Accountable for implementing measures to expedite progress and address delays.
* Action Required: Continue conducting joint surveys, holding periodic meetings with State Government officials, and utilizing standardized superstructure drawings to streamline project planning and execution.
Road Users/Public:
* Impact: Benefit from safer and congestion-free railroad crossings upon completion of ROB/RUB projects. Delays in project completion can lead to continued safety risks and traffic congestion at level crossings.
* Action Required: N/A. Their benefit relies on the timely execution and cooperation of the other stakeholders.
Local Bodies:
* Impact: Collaboration with local bodies on cost sharing and project execution
* Action Required: Collaborate in cost sharing arrangements and assist in project execution where required.
Key Entities Referenced
Road Over Bridges ROBs: A type of bridge that allows road traffic to pass over railway tracks. Frequently mentioned infrastructure project in the policy.
Road Under Bridges RUBs: A type of bridge that allows road traffic to pass under railway tracks. Frequently mentioned infrastructure project in the policy.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India, the geographical focus of the policy document concerning railway infrastructure projects.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology at the time the question was answered.
Level Crossings LCs: Points where roads intersect with railway tracks at the same level. The policy aims to eliminate these via ROBs/RUBs.
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of railway infrastructure.
State Government: The government of Tamil Nadu, which shares the cost of ROB/RUB projects and is involved in land acquisition and other approvals.
General Arrangement Drawing GAD: A technical drawing used in the planning and design of infrastructure projects, requiring approval for project execution.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4535
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
ROBs/RUBs IN TAMIL NADU
4535. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges
(RUBs) sanctioned, under construction and completed in Tamil
Nadu during the last five years;
(b) the funding pattern adopted for these projects including cost-
sharing with State Government and local bodies;
(c) whether delay has been reported in execution of ROBs and RUBs
due to land acquisition, design approvals/coordination issues
with State agencies;
(d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite
pending ROB/RUB works and ensure safe and congestion-free
rail-road crossings especially in high-traffic zones; and
(e) the list of level crossings in Tamil Nadu identified for elimination
via ROBs/RUBs, district-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) : As on 01.04.2025, 235 Road Over Bridges/ Road Under
Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) across railways tracks in lieu of Level
Crossings (LCs) etc. have been sanctioned including 104 Nos.
ROBs/RUBs on cost sharing basis in the State of Tamil Nadu, which
are at various stages of planning and execution.Further, 82 Nos. ROBs/RUBs out of 235 Nos. are held up on
account of the State Govt. The details are as under:
S.No. Reason ROBs/RUBs
(in No.)
1. Delay in Land Acquisition by State Govt 22
2. Consent for Closure of LC by State Govt 26
3. Finalization of Alignment by State Govt 23
4. Law & order/ Public Protest etc. 11
During 2020-25 (June’25), 144 Nos. ROBs/RUBs have been
sanctioned in the State of Tamil Nadu, which are at various stages of
planning and execution. This includes 32 Nos. ROBs/RUBs on cost
sharing with State Govt./local bodies. During this period total 250
Nos. ROBs/RUBs have been completed in the State of Tamil Nadu.
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 (June’25) is as under:
Period ROBs/ RUBs constructed
2004-14 4,148 Nos.
2014-25 (June’25) 13,426 Nos. (including 747 Nos. in
the State of Tamil Nadu)
Railways have taken following measures to expedite the progress of
work: Joint survey with concerned State Govt./Road Owning Authority
is done before finalizing the General Arrangement Drawing
(GAD) to ensure smooth execution.
Periodic meetings of Railway & State Government officials are
done to resolve various issues related to ROB/RUB works.
Standardization of superstructure drawings for various
combinations of span, skewness and width of road on Railway
portion has been done to avoid delays during the design
approval. This has been issued in the form of compendium,
which can be directly adopted for Road Over Bridge across
Railway lines for expeditious planning.
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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