Villagers demand manned level crossing

MYSORE: Holding the negligence of authorities responsible for the death of two at the unmanned level crossing near Mallegowdana Koppalu, more than 200 villagers staged a protest near KRS on Sunday. They stopped Mysore-Arsikere train for more than 70 minutes, demanding manned level crossing. They shouted slogans against railway authorities for the delay in converting it into manned level crossing.
Following the increase in vehicular traffic, crossing of track near Mallegowdana Koppalu had become difficult, said villagers, demanding the railways to pay compensation to the families of the victims, Ramesh(40) and Vykunta (40), of Sindaboganahalli in Pandavapura taluk, who were killed when Mysore Arsikere train (56367) rammed into the Maruti van they were travelling at the unmanned level crossing in Mallegowdana Koppalu on Saturday night.Claiming that more than eight such incidents had occurred recently, they alleged that the authorities have neglected their pleas. Gangadharaiah, a villager, said that along with broad gauge conversion, the railways should have created underpass facilities or installed manned crossing.