No safety lapse at Chirakkal gate, says DRM

The Palakkad Railway Division has denied media reports claiming a “narrowly averted major accident” at the Arpamthodu railway gate near Chirakkal railway station, Kannur, on Sunday, which had alleged negligence by a gatekeeper.

Divisional Railway Manager Madhukar Roat said that the Mangaluru-Chennai Mail (Train No. 12602) stopped before the level-crossing signal as it was not cleared. Some reports had claimed that gatekeeper Rajesh Kavalan had left the gate open as he was under the influence of alchohol, prompting locals to alert others and stop road traffic, thereby averting a possible accident.

Mr. Roat said the train halted at the red signal and the signal was cleared only after the gate was closed, following which the train proceeded. He said all 122 level crossing gates in the Palakkad division are interlocked, ensuring trains cannot pass when gates are open. In this case too, the system functioned as designed and the train stopped at the signal, he said. “There was no unsafe situation for road users,” he said.

Mr. Roat added that disciplinary action had been initiated against the gatekeeper for dereliction of duty. He said the division conducts regular safety drives and provides counselling to staff at level crossings and stations.