Odisha: Drunk railway gateman puts commuters’ lives at risk

Cuttack: Many commuters had a narrow escape from a mishap at a level crossing near Kapilash Road railway station in Tangi area of Odisha’s Cuttack district as the concerned gateman had become unconscious after consuming liquor.

According to reports, the gate of the level crossing was not elevated late last night after a train passed. The incident puzzled people waiting on both sides of the level crossing.

On enquiring about the matter, they saw the gateman being unconscious under the influence of liquor. After several attempts to bring the agtemen back to normal state, the commuters somehow managed to make him elevate the closed gate.

However, trouble mounted further as the gateman kept the gate open for a long time. Meanwhile, a speeding train approached towards the level crossing while some people were crossing the place.

In a bid to save their lives, they ran helter-skelter and avoided a certain major accident. Expressing displeasure over the incident, locals have demanded departmental action against the erring gateman.