A tragic double fatality has struck near the Kadambathur railway station in Tiruvallur district, claiming the lives of a young college student and an unidentified man in separate incidents. The accidents have reignited public anger over the prolonged absence of safe pedestrian crossing facilities at the location.
Details of the Tragic Incidents
The first victim has been identified as Haritha, a 17-year-old first-year pharmacy student from Pazhaiya Venmanam Pudur near Kadambathur. She was pursuing her studies at a private college in Nemilichery. On Tuesday, Haritha arrived at Kadambathur railway station as usual for her commute to college.
Reports indicate that while she was talking on her mobile phone and attempting to cross the railway tracks, an express train bound for Chennai passed through. Haritha, who was standing perilously close to the track, was struck by a side rod of the moving train and thrown aside with severe force.
She was immediately rushed to the Tiruvallur District Government Medical College Hospital. Unfortunately, the young student succumbed to the grave injuries she sustained in the impact.
Second Victim and Public Outcry
In a related and equally grim discovery, the Railway Protection Police recovered the body of an unidentified man near the same railway station. Authorities suspect he was also hit by a train. The body has been sent to a government hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
These back-to-back tragedies have triggered strong criticism from local residents, traders, and regular railway passengers. The community has voiced its frustration, stating that for more than ten years, they have repeatedly demanded the construction of a subway or a safe crossing, but no concrete action has been taken by the authorities.
Protesters allege that even after the construction of a railway overbridge at Kadambathur, the lack of proper and dedicated pedestrian crossing facilities continues to endanger lives, leading to such preventable accidents. The perceived negligence has become a focal point of local anger.
Official Response and Investigation
The Tiruvallur Railway Police have officially registered cases for both incidents and investigations are underway. The cases will seek to establish the precise sequence of events leading to the fatalities.
The twin deaths underscore a critical and persistent infrastructure gap in railway safety. They highlight the urgent need for administrative action to address public concerns and implement long-pending safety measures to prevent future loss of life on the tracks.
