Residents protest prolonged closure of Kasrak railway crossing in Miranpur Katra
Commuters in Miranpur Katra are facing severe daily hardships due to the ongoing closure of the Kasrak railway crossing, also known as gate number 342, located on the Katra-Khudaganj road. This closure has disrupted local travel patterns and increased daily commuting times for residents and students alike.
Key details of the Kasrak railway crossing closure include:
• The crossing has been shuttered for approximately one year to allow for the construction of a railway overbridge.
• Local residents and students are forced to take lengthy detours, significantly increasing travel time and fuel consumption.
• The alternative detour routes, particularly via the Pauki village contact road, are in poor condition and raise accident risks.
• Affected areas include Kasrak, Kapurnagla, Bhauna, Bhudia, Kattaiya, Akbarpur, Akbari, and Khudaganj.
Impact on Local Commuters and Alternate Routes
Travelers from the Khudaganj side now have to detour via Kasrak Hulasnagra to reach the Lucknow-Delhi National Highway to access Katra. Meanwhile, commuters coming from the Ukri-Pipri route are compelled to navigate through Maraina and the Veerampur railway crossing. These detours have added considerable distance and frustration to everyday journeys.
Public Outcry and Official Response
Public frustration reached a boiling point in August 2026, when local villagers, traders, women, and Karni Sena officials organized massive protests at the closed Ukri railway crossing. The demonstrators fiercely demanded the immediate reopening of both the Ukri and Kasrak gates and submitted a formal memorandum detailing their grievances.
Responding to the protests, Railway Assistant Division Engineer Bhaskar Bhattacharya visited the site on August 3, 2026. He assured protesters that an inspection would be conducted within two days to explore safe alternative arrangements for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Bhattacharya also clarified that the construction of the overbridge on the Ukri road had stalled due to pending drawing approvals. He estimated that once those drawings are officially approved, the bridge construction project will take six months to complete. Despite these assurances and promises of temporary traffic solutions, daily commuters continue to face frustrating disruptions until the infrastructure work is finished.