Plaint against Konkan Rlys after elderly sustains fracture while alighting from train

Udupi: A woman has lodged a complaint seeking action against Konkan Railway Corporation Limited for negligence after her mother suffered an ankle fracture after falling into a ditch while alighting from Bengaluru-Karwar Express (Train No. 16513) as it was halted on the mainline instead of the platform line.

Supriya Kamath, in her complaint lodged with Brahmavar Police, alleged that the Karwar Express was often halted on the mainline.

On Sunday, September 29 the complainants’ mother Vijaya Bhagwat, 58, had arrived at Barkur along with her husband, aged 70, and two grandsons to celebrate Navratri with Supriya.

However, the train halted at the mainline instead of the platform and while alighting from the train Vijaya and one of her grandson fell into a ditch. While her grandson was unhurt, Vijaya sustained an ankle fracture and had to be hospitalized. As per reports she has already undergone one surgery and is expected to undergo one more in a couple of days.

A railway official termed the incident as an unfortunate one and assured of addressing the issue. Clarifying on the issue, the official said that as per the procedure, when two trains arrive simultaneously at a station that has only one platform, the one with more passengers is allowed on the platform line while the other is halted on the mainline.

On the day of the mishap, he said that Matsyagandha Express (Train No. 12619) was scheduled to arrive at Barkur at the same time and hence Train no 16513 was halted on the mainline.

Meanwhile, locals have been demanding a second platform at Barkur Railway Station.