Entrance to home blocked by railways

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A family residing adjacent to the Atlantis level crossing has been literally trapped after rail authorities blocked their only entrance with iron railings to rectify a “security threat” – direct access of vehicles to the rail tracks even when the level crossing barriers are closed.

The family of brothers and entrepreneurs, K.A. Joseph and K.A. Laurence, have been residing here for over 60 years and had given nearly six cents earlier for track expansion.

Recently, they were shocked to suddenly see workers in khaki placing iron bars to block their only entrance all of a sudden.

The provocation – an overnight realisation by the railways that there had been a security lapse. This took place after an incident just two days ago, when three cars had managed to squeeze in, just as the barrier was being closed. They nearly hit a speeding train.

“Our vehicle is virtually trapped now. We’re not against development and are ready to be relocated if given adequate compensation.

But how can they close the only entrance one fine morning without any intimation?” Joseph, who is now mulling legal action, wonders.

The only practical solution appears to be rectification of another “mistake” by the railways — the distance between the two barriers is now over 5 meters, even covering tracks which are not being used for the past 18 years and are virtually non-existent.

Luckily the railways have realised the need for action. “We’ve forwarded a suggestion to make the barrier distance shorter and relocate the western one closer.

However, it may take some time as it needs co-ordination between two departments,” area manager Ashok Kumar said.