Woman Jumps Into Barak to Escape Oncoming Train While Crossing Katigorah Rail Bridge

In a shocking turn of events on Friday morning, a woman narrowly escaped death after jumping into the Barak River from the railway bridge in Katigorah to avoid an oncoming train. The woman, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was walking across the railway bridge connecting Katigorah and Badarpur — a risky route being used by locals ever since the nearby Gammon Bridge was closed for repairs.

Eyewitnesses said the woman was halfway across the bridge when she saw a train rapidly approaching. In a desperate bid to save her life, she leapt into the river below. Fortunately, the rescue team of SDRF and the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) is located right next to the bridge since the Gammon Bridge closure, allowing a swift response.

A rescue team from the Fire and Emergency Services and SDRF immediately launched a rescue operation and pulled the woman out of the river. Although her condition was critical at the time of rescue, she was alive and breathing, a rescuer said. She was rushed to the nearest Model Hospital, from where she was referred to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.

Officials are still working to confirm her identity.

The railway bridge is not meant for pedestrian movement, but locals have been risking their lives to use it ever since the Gammon Bridge, a key connection between Katigorah and Badarpur, was shut down for repairs a month ago.

While the Cachar District Administration has started a ferry service between Siddheshwar Ghat in Katigorah and Badarpur Ghat, many who don’t want to wait for long in the queue because of the limited number of boats, opt for the dangerous shortcut across the railway bridge, putting their lives in grave danger.

As per the schedule, the Gammon Bridge is expected to reopen within the next month.

It needs to be mentioned that Barak Valley is currently facing a road connectivity crisis with the Gammon Bridge over the Barak River and the Bhangarpar Bridge on the Silchar-Kalain Road over the Harang River out of operation.