At least 23 students of VSB Engineering College were injured on Saturday evening, when a goods train struck their college bus at an unmanned railway crossing near Velliyanai in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The bus, carrying approximately 50 students, was hit from behind while attempting to cross a private track operated by Chettinad Cements.
While most students are in stable condition, one sustained a serious head injury. This incident has reignited concerns regarding the safety of privately maintained rail lines and the negligence of drivers at level crossings.
Negligence and Accountability Under Scrutiny
The accident occurred around 6:00 PM between Veerarakkiyam and Palayam as students were heading home. Witnesses described a terrifying scene where the train, transporting raw materials for the cement plant, slammed into the rear portion of the bus, causing extensive structural damage.
A police official stated that the driver tried to cross the level crossing without verifying whether a train was approaching. Consequently, the Velliyanai police registered a case against the 64-year-old driver, R. Periyasamy, under Sections 281 (rash driving) and 125A (endangering life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
District Collector K. Ravikumar and Superintendent of Police Josh Thangaiah visited the site to oversee the rescue operations. Personnel from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services carried out the rescue efforts and assisted in managing the aftermath of the accident.
A 25-Year Safety Vacuum
The incident has highlighted a significant regulatory gap regarding private infrastructure. Southern Railway issued a swift clarification stating that the track is not part of the national grid but a private line established in 1969 for industrial use. Divisional Railway Manager Banna Lal emphasized that “the control and responsibility lie entirely with the factory.” Local representatives, including MP S. Jothimani and MLA V.
Senthilbalaji, visited the injured at the Karur Government Medical College Hospital. Jothimani pointed out that the crossing has remained unmanned and without a gate for over 25 years, despite constant student traffic. “We will urge Chettinad Cements to immediately install a gate and man the crossing to ensure this never happens again,” she remarked.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident is a harrowing reminder of how thin the line is between a routine commute and a life-altering disaster. While the driver’s negligence is a primary factor, we must ask why “unmanned” crossings especially those operated by large private corporations are allowed to exist for decades without basic safety infrastructure like gates or signals.
Profit and operational ease should never take precedence over the lives of young students. We believe that corporate social responsibility must extend to the very tracks they lay through public spaces. It is time for stricter safety audits of private rail lines to ensure that no more lives are put at risk by systemic apathy.
