An express train approached a level crossing gate that was open to road traffic near Katpadi on the night of September 17, 2025 and led to a heated exchange of words between the road users and the gateman.
According to railway sources, the gateman was unaware of the approaching express train as a telecommunication failure had disrupted contact between him and the Station Master of the railway station from where the train departed.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. between the Polur and Mathimangalam railway stations in the Tiruchi Division of Southern Railway. Eyewitnesses said the train was continuously sounding the horn while nearing the open level crossing, prompting road users to confront the gateman alleging dereliction of duty. The gate was subsequently closed and the train crossed safely, sources said.
Communication failure
A senior railway official told The Hindu on Saturday that a telecommunication failure led to the incident. “As the gateman could not be reached, the locopilot was given a caution order authorising him to proceed at a restricted speed towards the gate. Being an interlocked level crossing, the signal turned to ‘danger’. Upon seeing the train, the gateman followed the standard procedure and locked the gate allowing the train to pass,” he said.
