Gobindpur Level Crossing to be Completely Closed! Construction of Underpass to Start Once State Approval is Received
**Staff Correspondent:** After the horrific train accident in Gobindpur, the Eastern Railway has made a significant decision. To ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians, the **24A/2 Level Crossing** in Gobindpur will be completely closed, and a modern underpass is planned to be constructed there. However, the project requires a **‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC)** from the West Bengal government to commence work. The railway authorities have stated that construction will begin promptly once the state gives the green signal and the budget is approved.
## Railways Act Quickly After the Accident
On **July 17**, while crossing the Gobindpur railway gate between Khagraghat and Kornsuvorn railway stations, a school van was hit by a train and was thrown off. In this horrific accident, **four students and one cyclist lost their lives**. Four others were seriously injured. Following this tragic incident, questions began to arise regarding the safety of the level crossing.
Afterward, Chief Minister **Shuvendu Adhikari** visited the families of the deceased. He assured that if necessary, he would discuss with the railway minister to prevent such accidents in the future. This led to a swift advancement in the plan for the underpass construction.
## Formal Proposal to the State
According to sources from the Howrah Division of Eastern Railway, a formal proposal for the construction of an underpass in Gobindpur was sent to the West Bengal government on **July 20**. The Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, **Shivram Majhi**, stated that once the state government issues the NOC, the budget will be finalized, and work will commence swiftly.
## What Will the Underpass Be Like?
Railway sources have indicated that the proposed underpass will be—
* **Width:** 6 meters
* **Height:** 3 meters
* **Estimated Cost:** Approximately 30 to 40 crore rupees
Due to the presence of double railway lines, the construction cost is expected to be relatively higher, according to railway authorities.
## Subway Plan for Three Railway Gates
According to the long-standing plan of the railway, there was an initiative to remove three level crossings on the Kornsuvorn branch and construct subways there. However, due to local objections, the previous project was stalled. Now, after the tragic accident in Gobindpur, that project has gained momentum again.
According to the railway's plan, if the state government approves, the work on the **three proposed subways, including Gobindpur, will be completed simultaneously.**
## Safety is Now the Main Goal
According to railway authorities, constructing an underpass instead of a level crossing will ensure safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians, significantly reducing the risk of such accidents in the future. The focus is now on obtaining approval from the state government. Once the NOC is received, there is a possibility that the long-awaited project will commence.
