A ₹12 crore Road Under Bridge (RUB) project at level crossing number 123 in Baltana, on the Ambala-Chandigarh rail section, was formally launched on Wednesday, 20 May with a foundation stone laying ceremony attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu. The project is being executed on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between Indian Railways and the Chandigarh Administration.

Why Baltana Crossing Was Prioritised

The Baltana level crossing currently handles a traffic volume exceeding 9 lakh Traffic Vehicle Units, making it one of the busiest and most critical railway crossings in the region. The sheer volume of daily movement has long made it a bottleneck for residents, commuters, and traders in the surrounding areas. Once complete, the RUB will provide safe, uninterrupted, and round-the-clock connectivity to Baltana and nearby localities.

A Policy Shift: Level Crossings to Stay Open

Union Minister Bittu highlighted a significant change in Indian Railways policy on level crossings. Previously, the construction of a Railway Over Bridge (ROB) at any location automatically triggered the closure of the adjacent level crossing — a practice that caused hardship to local shopkeepers, residents, and small traders.

Under the revised, more public-centric approach, a level crossing may now remain operational even after an ROB is built, provided it is technically and operationally feasible. Bittu said the shift is intended to protect livelihoods and ensure continued convenience for ordinary citizens.

Low Height Subways and the Dhakoli ROB

The minister also outlined plans for locations where conventional construction is not viable due to space constraints. In such cases, Indian Railways will deploy state-of-the-art machinery to build 'Low Height Subways' — a modern alternative that minimises land acquisition and disruption.

Additionally, Bittu announced that work on the long-pending Dhakoli Railway Over Bridge project is set to begin shortly. He said its completion would significantly ease traffic congestion in the area and bring relief to thousands of daily commuters.

Governor Kataria on Railways and National Unity

Governor Kataria addressed the gathering and underscored Indian Railways' role as a social and cultural connector. 'People from various states across the nation travel to remote regions via the railways, thereby gaining the opportunity to familiarise themselves with diverse languages, cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. Rail travel serves not merely as a means to commute from one place to another, but also as a powerful medium for experiencing the country's rich cultural diversity,' he said.

He added that the railways act as a bridge facilitating discovery of distinct cuisines, attire, customs, and cultural heritage across states, and that its contribution to nation-building is immense.

What Comes Next

With the foundation stone now laid, construction on the Baltana RUB is expected to proceed under the joint oversight of Indian Railways and the Chandigarh Administration. The Dhakoli ROB is also slated to break ground in the near term. Both projects form part of a broader push to modernise railway infrastructure in the Punjab and Chandigarh region while minimising disruption to local communities.