Pune: A serious lapse in railway safety occurred at the Pisurti railway gate on the Pune-Pandharpur Palkhi Highway in the early hours of Thursday (February 14) morning. Despite an approaching train, the railway gate remained open, allowing vehicles to cross the tracks. A potential catastrophe was averted only because the train, traveling from Pune to Satara, did not receive a signal clearance and stopped just in time.

The incident took place at 3:30 AM when Swapnil Rajendra Bhujbal, an employee of the Someshwar Sugar Factory, was on his way to work. As he approached the railway gate, he noticed it was open—an unusual sight when a train is expected. He saw multiple vehicles crossing the tracks, including two pickup trucks.

Moments later, Bhujbal spotted an approaching train. Realizing the imminent danger, he immediately stopped a Karnataka State Transport (ST) bus carrying 30-40 passengers and other vehicles from crossing. He then rushed to the railway control room and woke up the sleeping railway gateman, who hurriedly closed the gate. Only after this was the train allowed to proceed towards Nira.

Nira Railway Engineer Vijay Kapgate admitted he had no knowledge of the incident. The Pisurti gate is managed by a contract-based gateman, and there was no official record of the early morning mishap at the railway station. His response has raised serious concerns about railway safety measures and accountability.

Unanswered Questions: Who Was Responsible?

• Did Valhe station send the required message to the next gateman?

• Did the message fail to reach the gateman because he was asleep?

• Why did the loco pilot not report the issue at Nira station?

• Who is accountable for this serious lapse in railway safety?