MARGAO: Facing severe flak from the public for its failure to provide safe crossing for pedestrians at Curchorem, the Railways has found the easiest way to wriggle out of the situation. It has blocked all openings along the retaining walls to prevent pedestrians from crossing the tracks. However, by failing to provide any alternative safe pedestrian crossing facility before blocking access to the tracks, the Railways has only served in increasing the hardships of the locals, residents told TOI.
Following an accident where a local came under the wheels of a train and yet survived, the railway authorities swung into action and erected iron railings to plug gaps along the retaining walls on either side of the track. What the Railways, however, failed to consider is that scores of locals, including students, have been routinely walking across the tracks to get to the other side of the railway line. With Railways blocking their only access, a large number of locals have found themselves blocked-in.
