Siliguri, Sept. 22 -- Local residents and traders staged a road blockade in the Shivmandir area on Tuesday to protest against the closure of railway gate SK-217, located on the state highway near Kadamtala More, close to Medical More in Siliguri.
Railway recently issued a notice ordering the closure of the railway gate. The protesters expressed concern that the permanent closure of the railway gate would severely disrupt connectivity and cause considerable inconvenience to commuters, residents and local businesses.
According to local residents, the railway gate is a crucial route used by lakhs of people every day, along with a large number of vehicles. They apprehended that closing the gate would put additional pressure on alternative routes, leading to increased traffic congestion and hardship for commuters. Speaking about the issue, local resident Abani Ghosh said that the BSF and SSB headquarters in North Bengal, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, and several educational institutions are located near the
railway gate.
"Although a railway overbridge (ROB) is located nearby, this road serves as a crucial alternative route whenever the bridge is closed for any reason. Closing the railway gate would further increase the difficulties faced by public," Ghosh said.
Residents and traders blocked the road for an extended period, demanding the withdrawal of the decision to close the railway gate. They warned that the protest would continue until their demands were addressed. Police later reached the spot and held discussions with the protesters, after which the blockade was withdrawn.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.