A tragic collision between a passenger train and a pickup truck at an unauthorized railway crossing in Tripura's Dhalai district claimed two lives on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The incident has once again highlighted the persistent danger of illegal crossings that railway authorities have struggled to eliminate despite repeated attempts.
The Fateful Collision in Ambassa-Manu Section
The accident occurred around 1:12 PM when the DN 15663 Agartala-Silchar Express was passing through the Ambassa-Manu section. According to Northeast Frontier Railway officials, a mini truck suddenly entered the railway track at an unauthorized crossing, giving the train driver minimal time to react.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway, confirmed in an official statement that the loco pilot attempted emergency braking but couldn't prevent the collision. The train rammed into the vehicle before coming to a complete stop, resulting in the immediate death of the truck driver and one other person.
Railway's Struggle With Illegal Crossings
What makes this incident particularly concerning is that the crossing where the accident occurred was unauthorized and had been a point of contention between railway authorities and local residents. The NFR CPRO explicitly stated that railway officials had tried multiple times to close this illegal crossing but faced strong resistance from locals each time.
Records indicate that as recently as October 5, 2025, railway officials from Agartala had visited the spot specifically to close the unauthorized crossing. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful due to opposition from community members who regularly use the crossing for local transportation needs.
Immediate Aftermath and Restoration
Following the collision, railway staff acted swiftly to clear the tracks and restore normal operations. The damaged truck was removed from the railway line by 1:30 PM, just 18 minutes after the accident occurred. The Agartala-Silchar Express resumed its journey at 1:34 PM, with minimal disruption to the schedule.
This incident underscores the critical need for greater public awareness about the dangers of unauthorized railway crossings. Despite railway authorities' repeated warnings and closure attempts, such crossings continue to pose significant risks to both vehicles and train passengers throughout the region.
The Northeast Frontier Railway has reiterated its commitment to railway safety while acknowledging the challenges in enforcing crossing closures without local cooperation. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when safety protocols are bypassed for convenience.
