Stranded bus removed from rly tracks in nick of time

Mysuru: A major tragedy was narrowly averted near Mysuru on Sunday, after a KSRTC bus carrying around 55 passengers got stranded on a railway level crossing due to a steering rod malfunction.The incident took place at the railway crossing on KRS Road near the Outer Ring Road junction when the bus, travelling from the City Bus Stand to Srirangapatna, developed a technical snag while passing over the tracks, leaving the vehicle stuck right in the middle of the crossing.At the same time, a goods train stationed at the Mysuru-Belagola Bypass Cabin (MBBC) station, located barely 500m away, was preparing to depart towards Mysuru. As part of the routine procedure, the station master contacted track maintainer Anil Kumar to inform him that the train was ready for departure and instructed him to close the gate. However, upon noticing that the bus was stranded on the tracks, Anil Kumar immediately alerted the station master and instructed him not to permit the train to move until further clearance was given.Acting swiftly, the station master halted the goods train, preventing a possible disaster. Meanwhile, the bus driver, conductor and a few local residents joined hands to push the stranded bus away from the railway tracks. After nearly 18 minutes of tense efforts, the vehicle was successfully cleared from the crossing.Anil Kumar then informed the station master that the track was safe for movement, following which the goods train resumed its journey towards Mysuru. Soon after the incident, KSRTC mechanics arrived at the spot and inspected the bus to assess the technical fault.Railway Protection Force personnel later visited the spot and registered a case. The timely coordination between railway authorities and the prompt response of the bus crew and local residents played a crucial role in preventing a major mishap. Soon after the bus got stranded at the railway crossing, the alert driver and conductor managed to get the passengers down.