Construction of second rail overbridge at Mulluvadi Gate in Salem yet to begin

The construction of a second rail overbridge (ROB) at Mulluvadi Gate is yet to begin, though land was acquired for the project a year ago.

Considering the traffic congestion while closing of railway gates at Mulluvadi, commuters demanded ROBs at the two gates (no. 183 and no. 184). Based on the demand, in 2016, the State Government announced construction of ROBs at the two gates. While starting the ROB works at gate no.184, shopkeepers in the locality demanded more compensation for their land and moved court. After a legal battle, the works started. In January 2024, the works were completed at gate no. 184, and the ROB was opened for public use.

While construction of the ROB took place at gate no.184, the Highways Department officials acquired land for the construction of a second ROB at gate no. 183. The land acquisition was completed and demolition of buildings in the acquired land was started in the second week of February 2024, and the department claimed the second ROB construction would be completed before December 2025. But, the works have not yet commenced. The debris of the demolished buildings is dumped along the road from Mulluvadi Gate to Hanging Garden. The public and commuters have demanded to begin the works soon.

Officials attached to the Highways Department said that due to issues related to tender process, the ROB construction was delayed. They added that the work would start before the end of this month or during the first week of June.