Residents of Chitagaon Basti and Chakma Basti in Kumarghat, under Tripura’s Unakoti district, are urging authorities to construct an overbridge over the railway line that has turned into a daily hazard. The absence of a safe crossing has led to tragic accidents, resulting in the loss of both human and animal lives, villagers claim.
Railway Line: A Lifeline Turned Hazard
Once an essential link between villages, the railway line has now become a dangerous obstacle. The tracks, laid to enhance connectivity up to Agartala, have instead divided communities, making daily travel a life-threatening challenge.
Initially, the railway posed no significant problems. However, with the increase in train traffic, it has become a major safety concern. Villagers must cross the tracks daily for work, trade, and agriculture, putting their lives at constant risk.
Repeated Tragedies and Growing Concerns
According to Rupan Dey, a local resident, over a thousand people use the railway crossing every day. “This is our only route,” he said. “But it has already claimed two villagers’ lives and killed several domestic animals. An overbridge is the only way to prevent more tragedies.”
Anju Dey, another villager, emphasized the urgency of the situation. She explained that most villagers rely on betel leaf cultivation, which is not possible in the hilly terrain near Chitagaon Basti. “We must cross the railway tracks to reach farmland. With electric trains set to run soon, the danger will only increase,” she warned.
Gobinda Dey recalled the devastating impact of the railway line on his family. “My grandfather died while crossing the tracks, and many cattle have also perished. We need an overbridge before more lives are lost,” he said.
Authorities’ Inaction Despite Repeated Appeals
Despite multiple requests, villagers claim that authorities have remained unresponsive. The situation worsened recently when a single train accident killed five cows, causing financial distress to the owner.
“We have suffered enough,” a resident stated. “How many more lives must be lost before the authorities take action? We demand an overbridge now.”
With no response from officials, villagers are preparing for intensified protests. For them, this is not just a demand—it is a necessity that could save lives.
