Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that 145 railway over bridges (ROBs) will be constructed across the state over the next three years to eliminate level crossings and enhance road safety. He made the announcement after inaugurating nine railway infrastructure projects in Nagpur, where Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was also present. The measures form part of a broader effort to accelerate rail and road connectivity in urban and regional centres.

The inaugurated works comprised four road over bridges, four underpasses known as subways and one road under bridge (RUB), reflecting a mix of grade separation solutions to reduce conflict points between road and rail traffic. The chief minister emphasised the technical and logistical challenges involved in bridge construction and said the state had made systematic and rapid progress in executing complex railway infrastructure projects in Nagpur and Mumbai. Officials outlined that grade separation would improve traffic flow and reduce delays for commuters and freight movements.

The planned 145 ROBs are intended to remove unmanned and manned level crossings across urban, peri-urban and rural stretches, with priority given to locations that record high traffic volumes and accident rates. Implementation is expected to proceed in phases coordinated by the state public works department and railway authorities, with engineering teams tasked to address site constraints, utility relocations and minimal disruption to rail services. Stakeholders will monitor progress through periodic reviews and project management mechanisms.

Completion within the three-year timeframe will depend on timely clearances, land availability and sustained funding, the government indicated, while stressing ongoing efforts to streamline approvals and adopt standardised design practices. The state government framed the programme as part of its infrastructure modernisation drive to bolster safety, reduce journey times and support economic activity across Maharashtra.