The Centre has sanctioned Rs 90 crore for the construction of a road overbridge at the railway level crossing in Birpara, Alipurduar district.

Located in the central Dooars, it is one of the busiest level crossings in the region. Every day, hundreds of vehicles cross the railway tracks near Dalgaon station.

The road, which cuts the railway tracks, also connects Gomtu, an area in Samtse district of Bhutan. There are several cement plants in the area. Dolomite mining is carried out in and around Gomtu.

“It was a longstanding demand of residents in and around Birpara that a road overbridge be built at the level crossing. Traffic snarls at the crossing is a regular affair and thousands face inconvenience. It is good that finally the Centre has approved the project and allotted funds for it,” said Manoj Tigga, the local BJP MLA.

According to him, the Union railway ministry and the ministry of road transport and highways will jointly take up the project.

“The central government will fund the entire project and also provide compensation to shop owners and house owners who have to shift because of the road overbridge. The state government will fix the compensation. We believe steps for initiating the project will begin soon,” said Tigga, also BJP’s chief whip in the Assembly.

Residents said they had demanded a road overbridge for almost two decades now. The facility, they said, would largely ease traffic movement in Birpara, which is connected by Asian Highway 48.

“Several trains move along the Dooars route. There are instances when patients have died on the way to the hospital as ambulances got stuck in the level crossing. Also, students, daily commuters and those headed to Gomtu or coming from Bhutan bear the brunt of severe traffic congestion. We hope the project is taken up fast,” said Mannalal Jain, the president of Birpara Byabsayee Samiti.

Even police face problems in reaching sites on the other side of the level crossing after reports of an accident or a crime.

Sources said officials of the state and central governments have carried out surveys for the upcoming road overbridge.

“The district administration will identify shops and homes that need shifting. A list will be made and the compensation paid accordingly,” said a source.