Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jan 8: The residents of Pachanadi took railway officials to task for closing the railway gate for a day without notice on Tuesday, January 8.

As per the residents, they left their homes for their work places in the morning today and when they reached at the gate, officials informed them that gate is closed for the day. When the people asked why there was prior notice, the officials replied that they had informed the deputy commissioner and police officials.

Angered by the answer, locals raised slogans against the officials and asked them to put notice at Pachanadi Junction and Bondel Church Junction.

Stany Alvares, local resident and Congress leader, said "Few months back, railway department had closed the same gate for a day. But ten days before closing the gate, they had put big banners in both sides of the gate stating that due to construction work the gate will remain closed. This helped the people to plan the day properly. But this time, the officials did not give any information about closing of the gate. Without the knowledge about the same, people from Vamanjoor and Bondel used this route and had to stop at the railway gate. We are not against the construction work. But we are condemning the negligence of officials on this matter,”

Pandurang, chief executive engineer, railway department, said "We closed the gate for seventeen hours and we informed the deputy commissioner and police officials. We put a banner near gate today early morning. By evening today, we will allow the vehicles. We need support from locals and hope they will use other roads for a day.”