Residents demand reopening of Bhajan Mandir level crossing in Kothagudem

Residents of Kothagudem are urging SCR authorities and elected representatives to reopen the Bhajan Mandir level crossing, closed after a 2014 train accident. Closure forces residents to travel long distances to the hospital, despite minimal train movement on the track

Kothagudem: The residents of Kothagudem town are demanding South Central Railway (SCR) authorities and elected representatives take immediate steps to reopen a railway level crossing at the Bhajan Mandir area.

The road passing through the level crossing in the heart of the town leads to the Government General Hospital and connects several residential areas on either side. For many decades, the road between Bhajan Mandir and the Head Post Office area served as an important passage for the residents, helping them reach essential services and commercial areas conveniently.

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However, the unmanned level crossing was permanently closed by SCR authorities after a fatal train-school bus collision at Chegunta in Medak district in July 2014, which killed over 20 school children and others, prompting authorities to take strict safety measures across the state.

As a result, residents in Sanyasi Basthi, Rama Talkies area, Burley Pit area, A-Power House area, 2-Number Basthi, Mathura Basthi, Nehru Basthi, Durjan Basthi, and Union Office area are facing serious difficulties in reaching the hospital in case of any medical emergency, putting vulnerable patients at risk.

Speaking to Telangana Today, BRS activists Bathula Srinivas and Syed Ahmed said that after the level crossing was closed, residents are forced to travel around three km to reach the hospital, which is actually located very close to these areas, causing inconvenience and delays.

They added that the railway track is being used only for coal transportation from SCCL mines. Goods trains carrying coal run on this route just two or three times a day, mostly during the night, which makes the closure appear unnecessary to local people.

“It is sad that the level crossing was closed for a train that runs only a couple of times a day,” they said, while demanding that the local MLA, MP, and other elected representatives put pressure on SCR authorities to reopen the level crossing with a worker to guard it.

Muslim Minority BC-E Forum district president Mohammad Mahbub Jani said that if anyone in Sanyasi Basthi, Rama Talkies area, Burley Pit area, or other localities dies, their family members have to travel a long distance to take the body to the crematorium, adding to the residents’ hardship.