Urban Estate residents threaten protest over permanent closure of railway crossing C-7 in Jalandhar

Hundreds of residents from Urban Estate gathered at Geeta Mandir on Saturday to announce a ‘Rail Roko Andolan’ in protest against the permanent closure of Railway Crossing C-7. The closure, residents claim, has cut off their daily lifeline and pushed an entire locality into hardship and humiliation.

Over 450 people — including women, schoolchildren, senior citizens, religious leaders and small business owners — assembled in what turned into a fiery but peaceful demonstration. Holding banners and raising slogans, they accused the Punjab government and local administration of ignoring their repeated pleas for relief.

“You closed our roads. Now, we will block your trains,” shouted one resident, as the others echoed in agreement.

Residents say the closure of the C-7 level crossing has forced them to rely on a narrow underpass more than 3 km away. The alternative route, they argue, is unsafe, poorly designed and unfit for pedestrian or emergency use. They cite rising accidents, increased travel distances, and daily harassment — especially for school children, women, the elderly and even during funeral processions.

Earlier in the day, two road accidents were reported near the underpass. In a particularly shocking incident last week, mourners carrying a body were stopped by police and forced to navigate a dangerous detour. One man slipped and suffered a spinal injury. “Is this the India of 2025?” asked a grieving family member. “Even our dead are denied dignity.”

Speakers at the protest alleged that the government had abandoned the poor and minorities in the name of development. “They help only the rich,” said one woman. “We pay taxes, we vote, but they treat us like we don’t exist.”

They also accused the Deputy Commissioner, the Railways of secrecy and the AAP-led state government of inaction. Residents claim repeated surveys by officials from the Municipal Corporation and Engineering Department have already acknowledged the chaos caused by the closure, yet no corrective steps have been taken.

The protesters have now issued a direct warning to the state government: reopen C-7 or face a large-scale Rail Roko agitation. The date for the protest will be announced within 72 hours, residents said.

“This is no longer just about a crossing,” said one of the organisers. “It’s about basic dignity. This fight has moved beyond Jalandhar — it is turning into a people’s movement.”

Banners held at the protest read: “Open C-7 or Close the Tracks”, “Respect Our Dead — Or Face the Living”, and “This Country Is Not Only for Ministers and Millionaires”.

Jalandhar