The ambitious 402 crore Mathura-Vrindavan broad gauge railway conversion project has been permanently terminated by the Railway Ministry, citing its “uneconomical” nature. This decision, conveyed in a recent letter to the North Central Railway (NCR) zone, follows significant local opposition, underscoring the critical importance of community engagement in urban development and infrastructure planning, especially concerning sustainable and equitable urbanisation.
The now-cancelled project, sanctioned in 2017-18, aimed to transform the century-old metre gauge line between the revered cities into a broad gauge. Despite substantial time and capital already invested, with track laying commenced from both ends, the project encountered unforeseen headwinds. The North Central Railway, which oversees the Mathura-Vrindavan section, had advocated for its permanent closure in response to mounting protests from local residents. This raises pertinent questions about the initial foresight and comprehensive planning phases of large-scale public works.
A significant contract, valued at 191 crore rupees, was awarded in February 2023 for the dismantling of the existing track and laying of the new one, with a completion target of March 2025. Furthermore, another contract worth 38 crore rupees was granted for the construction of new station buildings, platforms, and foot-over bridges. These investments now face uncertainty, highlighting potential financial losses and the ripple effect on contractors and the broader economic landscape. The abrupt halt necessitates a reassessment of risk management protocols within major infrastructure undertakings. The metre gauge track, a colonial-era legacy, had served the twin cities with a single-coach rail bus operating twice daily until early 2023, when services were suspended for the conversion work.
The core of the local discontent arose when construction began from the Mathura side in June 2023. Residents voiced concerns about the proposed embankment for the new broad gauge track, fearing it would impede their traditional ease of crossing the railway line, a common practice with the ground-level metre gauge and slower rail bus. A pivotal meeting in September 2023, involving senior railway officials, local administration, and protesting residents, brought these grievances to the forefront. A prevailing demand from the community emerged: the railway land should instead be repurposed for a road, reflecting a fundamental disconnect between planned infrastructure and immediate community needs. This incident underscores the necessity of integrating local perspectives and sustainable alternatives into urban mobility solutions, especially in culturally significant areas where accessibility and traditional routines hold immense value for inhabitants.
The permanent cancellation of this project, despite significant expenditure and initial momentum, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in large-scale urban infrastructure development. It highlights the imperative for robust stakeholder engagement and meticulous environmental and social impact assessments before project commencement. While the financial implications are considerable, the decision to halt an “uneconomical” project, especially one facing overwhelming local resistance, can be viewed as a necessary pivot towards more responsive and community-centric urban planning. This episode reinforces the notion that true progress in creating smart, sustainable, and equitable cities demands a delicate balance between economic viability, environmental consciousness, and the genuine needs and aspirations of its citizens.
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