Many lives lost at Goraya level crossing
Non Resident Indians (NRIs) call it the “Berlin Wall”, locals call it the “Curse” and those who have lost their loved ones trying to cross it, term it the “Killer Crossing”.
The level crossing, on Goraya town’s key route to the NH-44 (Jalandhar-Phagwara Highway), has earned these abominable titles. It is no less than an ordeal for residents of the area to cross it every day, a situation persisting for years.
For locals, the mention of the Goraya level crossing touches a raw nerve, bringing out stories of the loss of loved ones, inordinate delay during medical emergencies, missed trains, unfinished jobs — all because the “phatak” won’t open.
Residents claim that, on an average, a Goraya resident passing through the route, has to wait for a minimum of 2 to 2.5 hours daily at the crossing. While Goraya has a railway station where only two passenger trains stop every day, the level crossing, residents claim, reportedly witnesses the passing of over 10 trains in 24 hours. Residents even claim that in a year, at least 10 persons die due at the crossing.
While Goraya has about 16,000 voters, the route is used by 50 villages around Goraya, with lakhs of commuters dependent on the road, to reach their destinations.
The “phatak” closes several times from morning to evening, sometimes remaining closed for half an hour to 45 minutes, during which time, thousands of vehicles wait to cross over. Due to a bus stoppage right at the approach of the NH-44, the traffic pile-up often gets worse.
A British-era underpass, built as an alternative route to the crossing in Goraya, has now fallen into disuse, as it now lies within a farmer’s property. A closed gate greets people trying to access the road to the underpass.
NRI Surjit Singh says, “The Berlin Wall may have fallen, but ‘our Berlin Wall’ stays put. It is easier to cross the border than to go across the Goraya level crossing. My house at Pinghan Wala Chowk is about 2 furlongs from the crossing. It is a curse for us. I have two cars, one of which I park on the other side of the crossing, because I know it won’t open in time. For most trips, one has to wait at least half an hour at the crossing. About four years ago, my neighbour Mohinder Singh suffered a stroke. I took him to doctor in my car. The crossing didn’t open, so he died waiting. I brought his body back home. Every year, on an average, 10 deaths happen here due to accidents etc. Trains cross in morning, afternoon and evening. The Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express also pass through this route, but don’t stop at Goraya.”
Goraya resident, Happy Mahi, lost his father in a similar cardiac arrest in 2008.
A social activist, Lumberdar Happy Mahi said, “It’s been this way since we were kids. But now trains have doubled and are faster. There are also many more cars. My father Ram Asra, who was 64 then, had a cardiac arrest in 2008, and I was taking him to a doctor. The “phatak” didn’t open, he died on the way. A local confectioner’s brother also lost his life similarly in a medical emergency due to the crossing. We submitted complaints. Former MP Santokh Chaudhary also took up the issue in the Lok Sabha. The AAP also recently promised a solution. But so far there is none.”
Area industrialists had also written to the Centre on the issue, regarding which residents said they were promised that a solution was being sought.
Goraya resident Salim Sultani says, “Smaller areas like Mauli (got an underpass) and a crossing near Talhan recently got solutions, but our crossing continues to drain our energies every single day. The nearest detours are at least 2 to 3 km long and are winding, tedious roads to go across Dallewal, Sargundi and other villages.”
