Train blocked in protest against badly managed level crossing

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, September 1: The residents of Mahakalipadpu on Masjid Road and Nirmalanagar in Jeppu had to face several inconveniences when the manned level-crossing remained closed for nearly 2 hours on Tuesday. Furious residents and representatives of several organizations, including the Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, blocked the Kannur – Mangalore Passenger Train No. 623 for 45 minutes from 10:30 a.m. till the railway officials arrived on the scene and assured them that the problem will be immediately solved.

Residents report that the metal barrier was let down and locked at 9:30 a.m. and remained locked for 2 hours, forcing several vehicles including a couple of ambulances from Kasargod to take a detour. School children and office employees suffered the most.

Mohammed Soofi, the president of the Nirmalnagar Hitarakshana Vedike, said that this situation has arisen for the second time in two months. Further explaining the matter, he said that the metal barrier was damaged when a lorry hit it three months back. The lorry owner had paid Rs. 15,000 to the railway authorities in spite of which the locking mechanism has not been repaired.

S. James, the public relations officer of the Palghat Division of Southern Railway, said that the problem arose because the barrier was wrongly handled.