The Southern Railway's Palakkad Division will install a double boom barrier at the Pandeshwar level crossing in Mangaluru to allow four-lane vehicular movement and ease congestion along Mangaladevi Road. The decision follows delays in constructing a proposed railway overbridge at that location. Tenders have been invited for the barrier installation together with civil and signalling works.

Railway officials said the tenders are likely to be finalised within about a fortnight, after which work will begin at an estimated cost of Rs 20 million (Rs 20 mn). Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey inspected the level crossing on September one with MCC and railway officials, and the commissioner and the MCC deputy commissioner for development urged the division to expedite the tender process. The Corporation has planned to widen around 200 metres of road on either side of the crossing to four lanes once railway widening work commences.

Railway engineers indicated that installation of the double boom barrier and upgrading of the signalling system would take around six months after the tender is finalised and that the works would be undertaken on priority. Meanwhile, the proposed railway overbridge remains under discussion with the Railways prepared to construct a two-lane bridge and the MCC pressing for a four-lane structure in view of traffic volumes. The Railways has requested detailed designs and drawings from the Corporation before proceeding further.

The Pandeshwar level crossing has caused inconvenience to motorists due to frequent closures to facilitate movement of trains to and from Bunder Yard. Local legislators had raised the issue with state and railway authorities and a southern railway commitment in March had indicated agreement to widen the crossing for four-lane traffic to reduce congestion. Officials expect the barrier installation and road widening to provide interim relief while discussions on the overbridge continue.