Train whizzes past open level crossing in Odisha; 2 railway staff suspended

Puri: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) today suspended train driver Govinda Sahu and assistant driver Umesh Kumar for allegedly ignoring signal and driving through Matiapada level crossing in Puri while the gates were open.

Earlier in the day, commuters passing through the Matiapada level crossing on the Puri-Konark Siddha Mahavir Road had a narrow escape when the Puri-bound Tapaswini Express train crossed the level crossing while the gates were still open.

The incident occurred at around 7.25 AM today. To the dismay of many, the gates of the level crossing were not closed, but seeing the approaching train, commuters stopped on the both sides of the level crossing while the train passed through it, informed sources.

Soon after the incident was reported, ECoR initiated an inquiry into the incident and sought a report from officials concerned within 24 hours. Later in the day, ECoR sources informed that two persons have been suspended connection with the incident.