Murshidabad, July 17: Three young students and a middle-aged cyclist lost their lives when the Nimtita–Katwa Passenger train rammed into a school van in the Murshidabad district. The collision occurred at a manually operated level crossing between the Karnasubarna and Gobindapur stations. The impact left six other children fighting for their lives, prompting local communities to allege severe negligence by the railway personnel on duty.
The focus of the railway probe has moved away from equipment failure to potential human error.
Railway officials stated that preliminary findings indicate no fault in the signaling system, confirming that the train was operating as per prescribed signals. As a result, the focus of the investigation has shifted to the manual operation of the level crossing and the role of on-duty personnel.
Anger erupted among residents who witnessed the moments leading up to the impact. According to eyewitnesses, the crossing gate had been opened to allow traffic through after an upward-bound train passed. As the school van moved forward, the incoming passenger train approached. Witnesses asserted that the gateman was absent at that crucial time, and though the gate was lowered at the last moment, the van and a cyclist were already trapped on the tracks.
Police later apprehended the gateman, who reportedly appeared semi-conscious and unable to respond coherently to questions from locals. He is currently in custody as investigations continue.
In the immediate aftermath, Eastern Railway top management took swift disciplinary action. Both the gateman and the supervisor overseeing the section were placed under suspension. A specialized medical contingent was sent to the area, and a 10-member high-level investigation team headed by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager was ordered to inspect the site.
A senior official reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on such lapses, assuring that accountability will be fixed after a comprehensive inquiry. The official declared that the mechanical design of the interlocking system relies heavily on human responsibility, making the actions of the staff the central point of the active investigation.
The tragedy has resonated through political circles, prompting demands for better safety protocols on regional transit lines. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury raised concerns over railway safety and demanded stricter oversight, while BJP MLA Subrata Maitra called the accident deeply tragic and demanded a complete, transparent investigation into the operational failure.
