Inhabitants of Chandra Halam Para under Panisagar in North Tripura blocked rail tracks at Pillar No 57/6 on Friday in support of a demand for a safe level crossing. The agitation started at 10 am as announced disrupting services of several long-distance trains. After prolonged meetings, the Government accepted the demand of the villagers and agreed to provide funds to meet the demands and villagers withdrew the blockade.
Sources said, thousands of villagers squatted on rail tracks today since 10 am and villagers started construction of a safety bridge. As a result, Agartala bound Rajdhani train remained stranded at Dharmanagar Rail station. Besides, Silchar-Agartala Train stopped at Churaibari while Silchar bound Agartala Silchar trains remained stranded at Kumarghat Rail station. Kanchanjhanga Train remains stranded at Sadarpur. Only local train services on Agartala-Dharmanagar route remain unaffected.
Talking about the agitation, agitators said, “Since 2008, we are demanding a level crossing as a passage bisects the rail tracks. At least, 7-8 persons ran over by trains in these years. A large number of people use the passage and cross the rail track”.
“Indian Railways authority and local administration held several rounds of talks but all in vain. Instead of constructing a safety bridge or level-crossing, authority opted for erecting walls closing the passage which villagers were vehemently protesting”, agitators said.
As thousands of villagers block the rail track and started construction works, SDM of Panisagar M Darlong and RPF personnel rushed to the spot. However, agitators were not in a mood to listen to the SDM. As the rail blockade continued, ADM of North District Nagendra Jamatia reached the spot.
After a series of meetings, it was decided that State Government would provide funds to the Rail department for the construction of a bridge. Sources said, a proposal to provide a fund of Rs 2 crore 75 lakh will be passed in the ongoing State Budget session.
“It is also decided that the concerned department will complete construction works of the bridge within nine months”, villagers said.
After completion of all the formalities relating to the decision, villagers withdrew the blockade at around 3.30pm. Later, train services restored. At around 4 pm, Rajdhani Express crosses the agitation spot followed by other trains.