Four persons were killed while soil subsided during pushing of a cement box for construction of underpass near Pradhankhanta station late on Tuesday night .
Initial spot probe by railway officers of Dhanbad Railway division suggests that the contractor, who was awarded to install the cemented box on Pradhankhanta - Sindri line near Chatakulhi village for construction of underpass was not using requires machines for pushing the box thus soil subsided following which four persons were trapped .
Those include Niranjan,Vikram and Papu Mahto besides Saurav Dhiwar who were trapped and died on spot due to delay in rescue operation. Senior railway officers including DRM Asish Bansal, Senior DCM and RPF commandant reached on spot at midnight about three hours late since the incident took place.
The locals had blocked Gaya- Howrah grand trunk rail route demanding compensation for the families of those killed. Senior district authorities including SDM PK Tiwary too reached on spot and held negotiations with agitating villagers.
Railway authorities assured contractual jobs for one eligible from the family of those killed and Rs 50, 000 as immediate compensation and further as per rules .
On this assurance the villagers lifted the blockade at 5.30 AM on Wednesday. The bodies of those were taken to PMCH for autopsy.
The tracks remained blocked for around eight hours causing diversion and cancellation of several trains .
Both Sealdah and Howrah rajdhani express trains besides some others were diverted via the main line.Trains originating from Dhanbad including Swarnarekha and Sundri passengers were cancelled. First train to leave Dhanbad after agitation was Howrah bound Shaktipunj express that left Dhanbad at 5.40 AM on Wednesday, said divisional PRO PK Mishra.This train was detained at Dhanbad station for seven hours due to the stir.