52-yr-old run over by train near Singanallur

Coimbatore: A 52-year-old man was run over by a train on Tuesday night in Ramanujam Nagar near Singanallur here. RPF (railway protection force) officials said that the man had trespassed the fence along the railway line, and was hit by a train.
The deceased was identified as Jeganathan J, of Vinayagar Koil Street in Ramanajuam Nagar. According to Vibin, Jeganathan's son, his father had stepped out to take a stroll around 10.30pm."Eyewitness said that he was walking down the railway track. He had not noticed the train due to the sharp curve," said Vibin.
The investigating officer, sub-inspector N Shanthi, said that Jegnathan had trespassed the fence along the railway line. "There have been cases of people being hit by trains in the past. So, a fence was set up a few years ago to prevent accidents. Yet, people continue to trespass it," she said. "It is said that Jeganathan was trying to cross the track to attend to nature's call," added the officer.
"We see at least one death in two to three weeks. People pay no heed to the fence. We are thinking about conducting awareness activities to reduce such accidents," said Shanthi.
Meanwhile, the MLA from Singanallur, N Karthik, plans to meet with railway officials to discuss the issue. "In some parts, the fence along the railway line is damaged. Fencing alone will not help save lives," said the DMK leader. "I am mulling patrolling the railway line, and seek ideas from the railway officials too," Karthik added.
Traffic along the road near the railway line is also an issue, said residents. There is a flyover that is being constructed that connects Trichy Road to Vellalore and passes over the railway line. "The road near the railway line is narrow, and has a sharp turn. This is dangerous for commuters," said Surya Prakash S, a frequent commuter on the route.