Hyderabad: How Safilguda railway gate closure will increase travel distance by 3 km

Hyderabad: Over 6000 families are facing immense difficulties after SCR closed the Safilguda railway gate for safety reasons.

A joint meeting of residents of different colonies met to discuss the closure of the Safilguda railway gate.

The gate was closed in 2021 due to safety concerns, and the residents have been facing difficulties in commuting.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the colonies of Balram Nagar, Sitaram Nagar, Devi Nagar, West Sri Krishnanagar, Adarshanagar, LB Nagar, Sainik Nagar, New Vidyanagar, and Ramakrishnapuram Basti.

They discussed the possibility of constructing a new RUB (road under the bridge) near the Balaram Nagar - Sitaram Nagar railway track. This would solve the problem of commuting for the 6000 families who are currently affected by the closure of the Safilguda railway gate.

BT Srinivasan, president of the Federation of RWAs, Malkajgiri, spoke about the efforts made to get the Safilguda railway gate reopened. “The South Central Railways GM and Hyderabad Division DRM have refused to reopen the gate, as it is necessary for the expansion of the Safilguda station platforms.”

The problem

The representatives of the colonies said that the closure of the Safilguda railway gate has caused problems for the 6,000 families living between the Safilguda railway gate and the Ramakrishnapuram flyover.

The problem will become even worse as the handover process for the newly constructed Jain Balaji Nilayam Casa Waterside apartment complex in Anand Bagh comes to an end. These families will have to travel a longer distance to get to the Ambedkar statue and then to the Uttam Nagar RUB road.

A new RUB near the Balaram Nagar-Sitaram Nagar railway track could solve the problem. With the help of local leaders, including MLA Mynampally Hanumantha Rao, MP Revanth Reddy, and corporator S Shravan, the Railway Engineering Department should be requested to conduct a feasibility study immediately.

Corporator and former councilor assure residents

S Shravan, local Malkajgiri corporator who participated in this meeting said: “I assure you of my full cooperation. I have already explained this matter to Union Minister and State BJP Chief G. Kishan Reddy, and I will request him to speak to the Railway GM about the issue one more time. I will also bring a letter addressing the South Central Railway GM.”

Former councillor of Alwal and former GHMC co-opted member, Nandikanti Sridhar said, “I will take up this issue and explain the problem to MP Revanth Reddy. I promise to bring a letter and request that TPCC President Revanth Reddy meet the Railway Minister in Delhi to discuss this issue and arrange for a solution.”

In their last meeting

During their last meeting, president of the West Krishnanagar Colony Association, D Ramakrishna said, “The closure of the Safilguda railway gate caused a great deal of inconvenience to the residents of the various colonies. The travel distance has increased by three kilometers, and the road leading from Vijaya Diagnostics side to Uttam Nagar RUB is very narrow and dangerous.”

Adding to it, Sitaram Nagar Association general secretary Santosh, treasurer Ramesh, Balaram Nagar Association member Gopal Singh, and Suresh Kumar Singh said the closure of the Safilguda railway gate has made it very difficult for them to commute to work and school.

West Krishnanagar secretary B Balakrishna suggested another railway rainwater drain in the middle of Sitaram Nagar to reduce traffic congestion. Suburban Bus and Train Travels Association president Noor said, “The only solution to the problem is to develop a road under the railway rainwater culvert near Sitaram Nagar culvert to Safilguda gate on the other side of the railway track.”