Southern Railway's Palakkad Division is converting 8 acres of land in Bunder into a ballast yard. While crucial for track maintenance, the move has sparked fears regarding frequent level crossing closures.

Key Takeaways

  • The old goods shed in Bunder is being converted into a ballast yard.
  • Approximately 8 acres of land will be used for storing track ballast.
  • Local residents fear increased closure of Pandeshwar and Hoige Bazar level crossings.
  • Old godowns are currently being dismantled to level the site.

The Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division has initiated the process of converting the old goods shed yard in Bunder (Neereshwalya) into a dedicated ballast yard. This strategic move involves utilizing approximately eight acres of railway land to store the ballast essential for track maintenance and stability.

Currently, railway authorities are actively dismantling old godowns and leveling the terrain to prepare the site. This area had previously served as a stabling point for coaching trains after the goods shed was shifted to Ullal in November 2023 to mitigate heavy truck traffic in the city center.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that while the conversion is a necessary step for railway infrastructure upkeep, it creates a significant logistical friction point for the city of Mangaluru. The balance between industrial necessity and urban mobility remains a critical concern for local governance.

Infrastructure expansion must not come at the cost of paralyzing the city's arterial road networks.

The conversion has raised significant alarms among civil society organizations. Residents are concerned that increased movement of ballast hoppers and trains will lead to the prolonged closure of the Pandeshwar and Hoige Bazar Level Crossing (LC) gates. These gates are vital links on the busy Mangaladevi Road, connecting southern Mangaluru to the central business district.

Umanath Kotekar, Secretary of the Amba Maheshwari Seva Trust, emphasized that the Railways, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), and district administration must collaborate on a comprehensive plan to ensure that traffic flow is not permanently disrupted by these new railway operations.

Did You Know?

Did You Know?: Ballast is not just gravel; it is specifically graded stone designed to distribute the load of trains and allow water to drain away from the tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of a ballast yard?

A ballast yard is used to store and manage the crushed stones (ballast) required to support railway tracks and provide drainage.

2. Why are residents protesting this move?

Residents fear that increased train movement to the yard will cause frequent and long closures of major level crossing gates, causing traffic jams.