Secunderabad: Shut for 3 months, Safilguda rail gate not to reopen soon

SECUNDERABAD: The Safilguda railway gate, which has been shut for nearly three months for repair work, is unlikely to be opened for public anytime soon as the South Central Railways (SCR) is yet to take a decision on the same.
The SCR had closed the Safilguda railway gate in first week of September citing track repair work. Residents of adjoining colonies were initially informed that the repair work will be finished within 15 days, following which the gate will be opened for public use by September 15.Later, the deadline was extended to October 10. However, till date, the SCR has not opened the gate, causing severe inconvenience to the commuters travelling to areas such as Anandbagh, Malkajgiri, Sainikpuri among others.
Despite being shut, pedestrians can be seen crossing the railway track putting their lives on risk
“There was lot of traffic that was being held up at the railway gate. A road under bridge has been constructed adjacent to the railway gate, which can be used by the commuters. A call has to be taken on whether the gate will be opened and when it will be opened by consulting the higher authorities,” said an SCR spokesperson.
Angry residents of about 250 colonies represented the matter to the higher authorities in SCR on Wednesday. “About one lakh denizens use this level crossing every day, which passes through the heart of Malkajgiri suburbs. It has become an arduous and strenuous task for commuters as they have been taking a detour every day. With the gate closed, the entire traffic is being routed through an unmanaged T-Junction, which is resulting in a traffic hazard leading to chaos during peak hours. Life would come to a standstill if this level crossing is not opened soon,” said BT Srinivas, general secretary, United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations.
A representation with 1,000 signatures from the residents staying nearby Safilguda station, collected by Balanagar residents welfare association, was also submitted to the SCR general manager.