Tragedy waiting to happen on Muktsar railway tracks

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 17

The level crossing on the Muktsar-Jalalabad road near Ghas Mandi Chowk here has been closed for months for commuters due to the construction of railway over bridge, but people have made a temporary passage through which motorists can be seen crossing the rail tracks, putting their lives in jeopardy.

Notably, several lives have been lost in the past in several mishaps on rail tracks in the state, but people as well as the officials concerned appear to have learnt no lesson. Even the district administration seems to have been in deep slumber as it has hardly taken any preventive measure. This point is close to the railway station.

A large number of people can be seen crossing the railway lines. A motorist said, “We have to go to the other level-crossing, but the road is not in a good condition. Thus we have no option than to take a shortcut. Further, the construction of the railway overbridge is going on at a snail’s pace. The authorities concerned should remove the encroachments at the earliest so that the bridge is built within the deadline.”

A shopkeeper said, “We are the worst sufferers. My shop is located close to the level crossing. The number of customers has declined and dust flows throughout the day. The Deputy Commissioner should visit the spot to know the plight of public.”

Meanwhile, at another level crossing too, commuters routinely take their two-wheelers from beneath the boom barrier to cross the tracks.