PANAJI
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has directed the Goa Government to immediately identify railway level crossings (LCs) falling on bypassed sections of National Highways in the State and submit proposals for their removal through the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) or Low Head Subways (LHS), under the Centre's Setu Bandhan programme.
The direction follows a decision taken at a review meeting with the Railways, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, on June 4, 2025, to address issues concerning the construction of ROBs and RUBs.
As per the communication issued by the Ministry on November 4, level crossings falling on National Highway bypass sections constructed between November 10, 2014, and January 1, 2022, are eligible for removal through the construction of new ROBs or LHS, depending on site requirements. November 10, 2014, is the date on which the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railways.
The Ministry has asked all State and Union Territory governments to identify such level crossings on priority and submit proposals for approval under the Setu Bandhan programme, based on the available bank of sanctions.
The Ministry has asked Goa PWD to identify the eligible railway crossings on bypassed National Highway sections on priority and prepare site-specific proposals for their removal.
The initiative is aimed at eliminating level crossings on bypassed National Highway stretches, improving road safety and ensuring smoother movement of traffic by providing grade-separated crossings.
The Ministry also clarified that construction of ROBs, RUBs and bridges on State roads under the Setu Bandhan programme is facilitated through the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), subject to prescribed conditions.
The objective of the programme is to improve road safety and inter-state/regional connectivity by replacing railway line LCs with ROBs and RUBs as well as constructing state road bridges.
