Lawrence road railway crossing closed

Cuddalore: With the gauge conversion works on the Cuddalore - Salem section nearing completion, the permanent closure of the railway crossing on Lawrence Road, a commercial hub here, is imminent.But the move has met with opposition from traders who say the closure will hamper commuter movement and hit their business.The traders have also suggested an alternative, in the form of a diagonal subway linking the newly constructed flyover to the railway station.

But the suggestion does not seem to have found favour with railway officials and the Highways Department. The Highways Department has drafted a plan for constructing a subway that requires digging the road for a depth of 10 metres, with steep gradients on either side.There is fear that structures would have to be pulled down for about 1.5 metres on either side of the road. Given the narrow stretch of Lawrence Road, the plan seems unlikely.As the conversion work is likely to be completed by June-end, the district administration is hardpressed to find a solution that will not inconvenience any section.

District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo convened a meeting of the stakeholders here on Monday to discuss the issue. Cuddalore Chamber of Commerce president V.P.S. Ganesan told The Hindu that the Chamber insisted that the railway crossing should not be closed.Railway officials felt that if the subway works were taken up along with gauge conversion, it would cause less inconvenience to commuters.The Highways Department has been asked to re-design its plan within 20 days, after which a decision would be taken.