Shopkeepers protest closure of C8 railway crossing
More than 150 shopkeepers and residents from Punjab Avenue, Urban Estate, Phase I, held a protest against the railway authorities over the closure of the C-8 railway crossing. The crossing was shut on April 25 following the opening of the new Subana railway underbridge, a move that shopkeepers say has severely impacted their businesses and daily lives.
Residents say that this C-8 railway crossing served as a vital artery linking Mithapur to Jalandhar Cantt Road. This route, with more than a century of significance, was once a busy thoroughfare frequented by customers visiting shops along Punjab Avenue. However, since its closure, the road has turned into a dead end, severing essential access and leaving businesses isolated from their clientele.
Shopkeepers claim the railway authorities have ignored their plight and accuse them of “snatching away their livelihoods.” Many have taken loans to sustain their businesses and the sharp decline in customers has left them struggling to repay debts.
“We used to get steady customer traffic from Mithapur Cantt Road through this crossing. Now, with the road blocking, it’s like a ghost street,” said one shop owner. “If this continues, many of us will be forced to shut down. How will we return our loans without customers?”
Another pressing issue highlighted by the protesters is the limited width of the Subana underbridge. Measuring only about 13.5 feet wide, it is too narrow to accommodate large trucks, which are essential for transporting goods to the market. As a result, trucks are forced to take a 5-km detour, increasing transport and logistics costs significantly.
“This is a huge burden on small businesses that rely on timely delivery of materials,” said one shopkeeper Gurmej Singh. “The detour adds to expenses and delays, making our operations unsustainable,” he said.
Furthermore, shopkeepers have raised safety and accessibility concerns regarding the design of the underbridge. They allege there are steep height gradients and engineering flaws that make it difficult for vulnerable groups such as rag pickers, street hawkers and manual cart-pushers (locally known as “rehri” operators) to cross. The steep inclines reportedly prevent easy passage, risking injuries and further marginalising these groups.
“Imagine a street hawker trying to push his cart up such steep slopes,” said a protester. “Who will help him? The design seems to have overlooked the needs of everyday people who depend on this route.”
Members of the local business community, including Gurmej Singh, Prince Arora, Dr Bharadwaj and Poonish Bharadwaj, have voiced concerns on the issue, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The protesting shopkeepers said they would continue their peaceful demonstration until railway officials address their grievances. They are demanding either the reopening of the C-8 railway crossing or immediate improvements to the underbridge to ensure safe, convenient access for all users — trucks, pedestrians and hawkers alike.
Meanwhile, district administration officials said they are actively engaging with the railway authorities, pressing for the reopening of both the C7 and C8 crossings until improvements to the railway underbridge are done.
