₹38-cr Lokgram FOB to be built under Kalyan smart city project

KALYAN: The Smart Kalyan Dombivli Corporation Limited (SKDCL) has sanctioned ₹38 crore to build building a new Lokgram foot overbridge at Kalyan railway station.

As per the officials, the funds will be provided to the Central Railway for the bridge.

“The board of SKDCL has approved the project and also sanctioned the funds. We will ask the railways to build the bridge as it is on its premises. However, if the railways asks SKDCL to build it, we are ready it,” said Pramod Kulkarni, general manager, SKDCL.

As per the SKDCL officials, the construction of the new FOB at Lokgram was planned under the smart city works meant for Kalyan (East) area.

The railways shut the bridge in May 2019 after it was declared unsafe. The CR had also planned to repair the bridge after its closure.

Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) said the construction of the new Lokgram bridge is part of the smart city project.

“It is approved by the SKDCL and the work will be undertaken under the smart city scheme. In the last board meeting, administrative approval was given for thebridge.Wewillcommunicate this with the railways and accordingly a decision will be taken on who will build the bridge,” added Kulkarni.

Commuters walking to Kalyan railway station from Lokgram area in Kalyan (East) have towalk15minutesmoreafterthe bridge was shut.

ACRofficial,whodid notwish to be named, said, “We will wait for a communication from SKDCL on the project. The railways will decide after considering all aspects.”

Commuters have been complaining about the lackadaisical approach of the authorities.

“ItaketheSiddharnathNagar skywalk to reach the station which is a long detour. Lokgram foot over bridge will help us save time,” said Shilpa Nair, 38, a resident of Kalyan.