Railways urges Bhagalpur admn to remove illegal crossings

BHAGALPUR: In the backdrop of reports about illegal railway crossings between Sahebganj and Kiul and Bhagalpur and Jagdishpur under Malda railway division of the Eastern Railways to, the railways has expressed serious concern.
Railway authorities in a letter to the Bhagalpur district administration has requested to take appropriate legal action and get the illegal railway crossings removed.
The railways has also asked to take suitable action against people involved in creating illegal structures that are not only hazardous but often result in accidents causing loss of lives besides damage to railway properties.
While conducting a survey of railway tracks under the Malda division, railway officials and engineers have identified at least 37 illegal railway crossings falling under Bhagalpur district.
There are 32 illegal railway crossings between Mirzachowki-Kahalgaon-Bhagalpur-Sultanganj railway section, while there are five between Bhagalpur–Jagdishpur railway section under the Malda division.
Several accidents have occurred in the past either due to unmanned railway crossings or illegal railway crossings causing loss of human lives and damage to railway property. Several accidents have been averted due to timely intervention of railwaymen and alertness of engine drivers.
Division railway manager (DRM) Tanu Chandra said, “They have apprised the district administration about illegal railway crossings. We are very much concerned about the safety of human lives and railway properties also.”