Railway underpasses in Ropar waterlogged even weeks after rain

Even though the monsoon season has ended, villagers in Anandpur Sahib and Nangal subdivisions of Ropar district continue to battle waterlogging in railway underpasses, cutting off connectivity and forcing them to talk long detours. Residents of Jindbari, Bhanupli and nearby villages have raised strong objections, alleging that the flawed design of railway underpasses has made life miserable for them.

A delegation of villagers met Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nangal, Sachin Pathak to complain that the underpasses in Nangal and Anandpur Sahib subdivisions remain filled with water weeks after the rains. Sumit Bharadwaj, sarpanch of Jindbari village, said that instead of easing transport, the underpasses have become a bane.

Similar concerns were raised by Rinku, sarpanch of Saini Majra, who blamed “faulty design” for the recurring problem.

Nangal SDM confirmed that the issue had been taken up with the railway authorities. “Railways officials have maintained that the water table at Jindbari and Bhanupli villages is naturally high, at nearly 15 feet. After the recent monsoon, the water levels in the region have risen further. Railways have floated tenders for the repair works. Work is scheduled to begin from October 15.”