Rajya Sabha members raise concerns over railway safety, connectivity and modernisation

Members of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday flagged multiple concerns relating to railway safety, connectivity and infrastructure modernisation across several states, underscoring broader challenges in the maintenance and expansion of India’s rail network.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour

, BJP MP Maya Naroliya drew attention to serious safety hazards at the railway overbridge on the Narmadapuram–Itarsi section of NH-46 in Madhya Pradesh, warning that its deteriorating condition posed a direct risk to thousands of daily commuters.

Citing a recent inspection, Naroliya said the bridge, constructed in 1997 , has developed deep cracks in its side walls, suffered collapse of concrete layers and shown widespread structural instability. Alleging the use of substandard construction materials and poor engineering practices, she demanded registration of an FIR against the contractor, blacklisting of the firm from future projects and legal action against officials who approved payments without proper inspection. Stressing that cosmetic repairs would be inadequate, she called for transparent reconstruction of the bridge within strict timelines.

From Goa, BJP MP Sadanand Mhalu Shet Tanavde sought the extension of the Vande Bharat Express service from its existing Madgaon–Mangaluru route to Kozhikode in Kerala , citing persistent travel difficulties faced by passengers. He said commuters are currently forced to change trains, endure long waiting periods and face ticket shortages, and that a direct high-speed service would significantly benefit students, senior citizens, tourists and regular travellers.

BJD member Sasmit Patra

highlighted the need to strengthen railway connectivity in south Odisha, pressing for the Gopalpur–Rayagada new line and the Naupada–Gunupur–Therubali second line. He also urged priority execution of the Brahmapur–Sambalpur line and faster completion of the sanctioned Jeypore–Nabarangpur and Jeypore–Malkangiri lines. Emphasising the importance of station infrastructure, Patra called for modernisation of Brahmapur railway station with additional platforms and a coaching terminal to improve passenger services and facilitate smoother freight movement in the region.

BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee

from Uttar Pradesh flagged delays in operationalising the remaining section of the 82-km Meerut–Delhi Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) despite multiple trial runs. He also expressed concern over large industrial plot sizes along the 594-km Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj, warning that this could marginalise micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Bajpayee urged the government to rationalise plot sizes to ensure greater participation of small industries.