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2h ago

Gatekeeper Arrested After Train Strikes School Van at Cuddalore Crossing

A multi-branch probe has been launched into the level crossing collision that killed three students, with compensation payments dispatched, the gatekeeper arrested, a sanctioned underpass held up by local authorities

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Photo: IANS

Overview

  • The collision occurred at 7:45 am on July 8 when Train No. 56813 rammed into a Krishnaswamy Vidyanikethan school van at the non-interlocked Gate No. 170 near Semmankuppam, killing three students and injuring others.
  • Gatekeeper Pankaj Sharma was suspended and arrested on charges of criminal negligence after railway officials and eyewitnesses disputed whether the crossing gate was open or closed at the time of impact.
  • Southern Railway constituted a joint committee of safety, operations and engineering officers to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
  • Ex-gratia relief of ₹500,000 for each deceased child’s family and ₹50,000 for each injured person has been disbursed by Southern Railway.
  • Southern Railway has blamed the Cuddalore district administration for withholding approval of a fully funded underpass, highlighting broader delays in level crossing modernization.