Rail crossing blocked after train and light truck collision, causing travel difficulties for locals

It has been learned from local residents that travel difficulties are occurring for local residents due to the closure of the railway crossing at mile post 136 2/4 on the village connecting road between Sinphyukyun village and Portawmu village in Thongwa Township, where a collision occurred between the No. 81 express train running from Yangon to Mawlamyine and a light truck on the afternoon of September 19. It was reported by a local resident that after the collision between the No. 81 express train running from Yangon to Mawlamyine and the light truck, officials from Myanmar Railways Thongwa Station blocked the railway crossing in the evening of September 19, causing travel difficulties for local people who use the village connecting road that connects Portawmu village and Sinphyukyun village in Thongwa Township. The resident further stated, "There are over 300 people in Portawmu village on the north side of the railway. And there are about 1800 people in Sinphyukyun village. In addition, there are small villages living in the field area. All the local residents use that village connecting road to travel. Since the village connecting road has been blocked, it has become inconvenient for the monks in Sinphyukyun village to go for alms to Portawmu village. Also, over 300 students from Sinphyukyun village and the lower part of Portawmu village who attend school in Thongwa city are facing travel difficulties. Currently, they are having to go around the blocked area." Furthermore, it was learned from local residents that there are about 6,000 acres of farmland in Portawmu village, Sinphyukyun village, and the lower field areas, and farmers use the Sinphyukyun - Portawmu village connecting road as their production road. The local resident added, "After the collision between the train and the car, the road was blocked like this, and only the local residents are facing difficulties. What should be done is to consider how to prevent accidents at the railway crossing and how to eliminate difficulties for the local people." It was learned that around 1:30 PM on September 19, the No. 81 express train traveling from Bilin Station towards Thongwa Station collided with a light truck at the railway crossing at mile post 136 2/4 on the village connecting road between Sinphyukyun village and Portawmu village in Thongwa Township, resulting in damage to the light truck. It was also learned that the driver of the light truck has been dealt with in accordance with the law. Photo Credit - Ko Win Zaw Oo