Over 160 ROBs planned in Odisha, 96 to be fully funded by Indian Railways

The Odisha government has accelerated work on replacing level crossings with road over bridges (ROBs) to improve safety and reduce traffic delays across the state. 

Under the Centre’s Railway Policy-2024, the Indian Railways has agreed to construct 96 ROBs entirely at its own cost as part of a broader plan involving 166 such projects.

Senior officials from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and the state Works department reportedly met in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to review progress on these proposed ROBs. The review was chaired by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Works department, reported The New Indian Express.

The meeting noted that work on ROBs had lagged in previous years. To address this, the state government is finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which ECoR will fully fund the construction of the 96 bridges. 

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Why Are ROBs So Important?

This initiative has positioned Odisha as a leading state nationally in adopting the revised ROB framework under the new railway policy.

Officials discussed the importance of the bridges in easing traffic congestion, reducing travel time and enhancing safety by replacing accident-prone level crossings. 

The discussions also focused on speeding up land acquisition, ensuring construction quality, and meeting strict deadlines for completing the projects.

To push ahead with execution, nodal officers have been appointed to manage land acquisition for the approach roads of 112 ROBs, and district administrations have been instructed to work closely with the Works department and the Railways.