transport - The Latremie Post

Stampede At West Bengal’s Bardhaman Railway Station After Multiple Trains Arrive Together; Several Injured, Probe Ordered – VIDEO Surfaces

**Stampede at Bardhaman Railway Station Causes Injuries Amid Festive Rush**

Kolkata, October 12: A stampede occurred at Bardhaman railway station in West Bengal on Sunday evening following the simultaneous arrival of three to four trains on platforms 4, 5, and 6. The sudden rush of passengers attempting to board and disembark trains led to panic, with many scrambling on the narrow staircases and footbridge. This resulted in several people being trampled and injured.

Horrific visuals of the incident have surfaced on social media, showing massive crowds at the railway station. According to reports from India TV, the overcrowding was triggered as passengers hurried to catch trains heading towards Haldibari and other destinations. The situation was further exacerbated by the narrow bridge and limited exits, making it difficult for commuters to move through the heavy crowd.

Officials confirmed that 10 to 15 passengers sustained injuries, including four women. The injured were promptly given first aid by railway doctors before being transferred to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Most of the injured are reported to be in stable condition.

This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the lack of effective crowd control and inadequate safety measures at this busy railway junction. The stampede took place during the festive season rush, a period when train traffic and passenger footfall are at their peak.

In response, railway authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident and have assured the public that steps will be taken to improve crowd management and prevent similar accidents in the future.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-stampede-12-injured-in-major-crowd-rush-at-bardhaman-station-videos

‘Curse For Millions Of Residents’: Vivek Agnihotri Criticises ‘Illegal & Inhuman’ Noise Pollution Caused By Mumbai Metro

Bollywood director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has taken to social media to voice his concerns over the escalating noise pollution caused by the Mumbai Metro. Urging authorities to take immediate action, he highlighted the issue that is affecting millions of residents across the city.

In a post addressed to Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Corporation, the filmmaker pointed out the severe impact of noise levels that reportedly exceed permissible decibel limits, disrupting the lives of Mumbaikars. Through his message, Vivek emphasized the plight of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, sick, and children, who are facing difficulties in sleeping and studying due to the incessant noise.

“I am writing to you because every other citizen’s attempt with the Mumbai Metro Corporation has failed. As you are fully aware, the Metro in Mumbai has become a curse for millions of residents due to the dangerously high sound levels, far exceeding permissible decibel limits. The noise pollution created by the Metro is depriving people of sleep and making it impossible for children to study. The elderly and the sick are especially affected,” he wrote.

The filmmaker added, “Thousands of Mumbaikars have been trying to bring this issue to the attention of the Mumbai Metro Corporation, but there has been nothing but total indifference and apathy, like any government department, as though the citizens suffering from the Metro’s illegal and inhuman sound pollution simply do not matter.”

Questioning the balance between development and residents’ quality of life, Vivek posed several important questions:

1. Why can’t sound-filtering walls be erected along the Metro line and around hubs located in residential areas?
2. If we are building world-class infrastructure, why can’t we demonstrate world-class empathy and concern for a citizen’s basic right to peaceful sleep and health?
3. Who is responsible and answerable for these faulty designs, and why is there apathy towards citizens’ well-being?

“Being an inspiring and concerned leader with great ethics, I am sure at least you won’t disappoint,” he added.

As of now, Ashwini Bhide has not responded to the filmmaker’s post.

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is known for being vocal about various social and civic issues in the country. He frequently shares his unfiltered views on different topics through social media.

On the professional front, Vivek is gearing up for the release of *Parva – An Epic Tale Of Dharma*, which is said to be based on the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In October 2023, he shared the first look of the film.

Additionally, he has begun work on his upcoming film, *The Delhi Files*, which is slated to hit the big screens on August 15, 2025.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/curse-for-millions-of-residents-vivek-agnihotri-criticises-illegal-inhuman-noise-pollution-caused-by-mumbai-metro

FPJ Impact: Maha Metro Begins Repair Of Pothole-Ridden Old Mumbai-Pune Highway Service Road In Pimpri-Chinchwad

**Pimpri-Chinchwad: Maha Metro Begins Repair Work on Pothole-Ridden Service Road of Old Mumbai-Pune Highway**

After widespread public outrage and multiple reports in the media, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has finally initiated repair work on the heavily damaged service road along the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway. The road, which stretches from Bhakti-Shakti Chowk in Nigdi to the Chinchwad Railway Station Chowk, had developed numerous potholes due to ongoing metro construction activities.

The Free Press Journal (FPJ) had extensively covered this issue, highlighting residents’ complaints and the slow response from authorities. The damaged road has caused significant inconvenience to daily commuters, especially during peak hours when traffic congestion often resulted in vehicles taking over half an hour to cover just five kilometers.

### Background

The repair work is linked to the Pimpri to Nigdi extended metro route currently underway on the Purple Line of Pune Metro. This line connects the Pimpri-Chinchwad area to Swargate. For the project, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had handed over the service road and BRT route of the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway—from Nigdi’s Bhakti-Shakti Chowk to Empire Estate in Chinchwad, covering approximately 4.5 kilometers—to Maha Metro. With this transfer, Maha Metro became responsible for the maintenance and repair of the road.

Metro construction activities on this stretch include road digging, erection of pillars, and viaduct work. To ensure safety and facilitate construction, Maha Metro installed barricades along the route, narrowing the service road significantly. Additionally, footpaths were dug up and temporarily converted into roadways.

### Issues Faced by Residents

Residents reported that the narrowed road, coupled with heavy vehicular traffic and recent rains, resulted in numerous potholes developing on concrete surfaces, asphalt roads, and footpaths. Traffic snarls during peak hours led to long queues and slow movement, aggravating commuter frustration.

PCMC sent three letters to Maha Metro requesting urgent repairs to the service road. However, the initial lack of response added to public dissatisfaction.

### Road Repair Work Commences

Under mounting public pressure and media scrutiny, Maha Metro finally agreed to undertake permanent road repairs. In coordination with traffic authorities, Maha Metro’s Managing Director, Shravan Hardikar, requested phased temporary road closures and traffic diversions to enable unhindered repair work.

Following these arrangements, road repairs commenced on Tuesday, focusing on asphalting the stretch from Nigdi to Chinchwad Station. Officials stated that the work started only after the rains subsided to ensure effective repairs.

Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer of PCMC, commented:
*”We had corresponded with the Metro administration regarding the repair of the service road. With the end of the rainy season, the Metro has undertaken the road repair work. Asphalting is being done on the road. Instructions have been given to complete the work quickly.”*

The repair work is expected to significantly improve the condition of this critical stretch, making it pothole-free and easing traffic woes for daily commuters.

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*This marks a positive step towards addressing the concerns of residents affected by the metro construction and enhancing urban infrastructure in Pimpri-Chinchwad.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/fpj-impact-maha-metro-begins-repair-of-pothole-ridden-old-mumbai-pune-highway-service-road-in-pimpri-chinchwad