In the aftermath of a tragic accident near Cuddalore on 9 July 2025, where two schoolchildren were killed after a train collided with a school van at a manned railway crossing, former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. Expressing solidarity with the victims, Annamalai also raised serious questions about the DMK government’s inaction and delays in critical infrastructure projects.
The collision occurred around 7:45 AM at the Semmankuppam railway level crossing when a private van carrying four students was struck by the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train. The vehicle was dragged for nearly 50 meters due to the impact. Two students Charumathi (15) and Venkatesh (10) lost their lives, while the driver and two other students sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital.
Local residents rushed to the scene before rescue teams could arrive and assisted in transporting the injured. According to eyewitnesses, the gatekeeper at the crossing, Pankaj Sharma, allegedly failed to close the gate and was found asleep. Some villagers reportedly confronted and assaulted him. Sharma, however, claimed the van driver insisted on crossing to avoid school delay.
Southern Railway later suspended Sharma, pending a full inquiry. Cuddalore SP S. Jeyakumar confirmed that an investigation is underway and final conclusions will follow the official report.
A now-deleted Southern Railway press release stated that preliminary findings suggested the gate was closed, but the van driver pressured the gatekeeper to allow passage, which violated safety protocols. The release also revealed that the gatekeeper has been arrested and booked for criminal negligence, and the process for his dismissal is underway.
Crucially, the same press note also revealed that an underpass at this crossing had already been sanctioned a year ago fully funded by the Railways. However, construction has been delayed for over a year due to pending approval from the district administration, specifically the District Collector.
Reacting to this, Annamalai posted a strongly worded message on social media, “Our hearts go out to the children and the parents of today’s most unfortunate accident in Cuddalore, when a school van carrying four children was hit by the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger train while attempting to cross the railway level crossing gate. What was meant to be an ordinary day turned into an unimaginable nightmare for the bright young minds. We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the grieving parents during this deeply painful time. Two versions of the cause of accident have come to light: one stating that the railway crossing gate was open for vehicles to pass, and the other, put out by Southern Railway, claiming that the van driver insisted on crossing the gate to avoid delay in reaching the school, and the gate was opened upon the van driver’s insistence. Southern Railways has clarified that permitting passage violates the laid-down rules and protocol, and has initiated the process of dismissing the Gatekeeper. An FIR for criminal negligence has been lodged against the gatekeeper, and he has been arrested. We have to wait for investigative agencies to conclude on the cause of the accident.”
He added “According to the statement released by Southern Railway, it has become apparent that an underpass at this railway crossing, with full railway funding, was sanctioned a year ago by our Hon. Railway Minister, Thiru @AshwiniVaishnaw avl, but has been pending commencement due to a delay in obtaining permission from the District Collector. TN CM Thiru @mkstalin should explain to the people of Tamil Nadu why even critical development works, such as permitting the construction of a railway underpass, are also moving at a snail’s pace in your Government in TN. Will you ever act with responsibility?”
Our hearts go out to the children and the parents of today’s most unfortunate accident in Cuddalore, when a school van carrying four children was hit by the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger train while attempting to cross the railway level crossing gate. What was meant to be…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 8, 2025
Annamalai’s remarks underscore growing public frustration over administrative delays in executing life-saving infrastructure and highlight the need for urgent governance reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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