Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Snakebite Leaves Alipurduar Loco Pilot Critical, Sparks Railway Protest
A railway train driver in Alipurduar was badly bitten by a snake at his home.
He was first taken to a railway hospital.
His condition became worse, and that hospital did not have a ventilator.
He was then taken to the district hospital, where doctors put him on ventilator support.
Railway workers and their families protested because they wanted better emergency care.
They also said snakes could enter the railway homes and that the areas needed cleaning and better lighting.
The protest briefly stopped or delayed some train services.
Railway officials spoke with the protesters and promised to look into their concerns, after which the demonstration ended.
Loco pilot P. Dungdo, also identified as P.P. Dungdung, was critically injured by a snake at his railway quarters.
He was moved from the divisional railway hospital to Alipurduar District Hospital for ventilator support.
Railway employees and family members protested at Alipurduar Junction over medical and residential safety conditions.
The demonstration disrupted train services for roughly one to one-and-a-half hours, including local trains between Siliguri and Bamanhat.
Railway officials assured protesters that hospital, infrastructure, cleaning, and lighting concerns would be examined.
- Who
- Loco pilot P. Dungdo, also reported as P.P. Dungdung; railway employees and family members; and Alipurduar railway officials.
- What
- A snakebite left the loco pilot in critical condition and prompted a protest over railway medical facilities, staff quarters, cleaning, and lighting.
- When
- The snakebite occurred on Sunday; the agitation took place on Monday and lasted approximately one to one-and-a-half hours.
- Where
- Near the loco pilot’s railway quarters and at the crew lobby of Alipurduar Junction in north Bengal; he was treated at Alipurduar District Hospital.
- Why
- Protesters sought ventilator and other critical-care facilities, improved maintenance of residential quarters, vegetation clearing, better lighting, and stronger emergency arrangements.
Protesters’ Concerns
Railway Authorities’ Response
Railway hospital facilities
Protesters’ Concerns
Employees said anti-snake venom was available but the railway hospital lacked adequate treatment facilities and a ventilator for critical care.
Railway Authorities’ Response
A railway official said the patient required ventilation because of his condition, but that facility was unavailable at the railway hospital, so he was transferred to the district hospital.
Condition of railway quarters
Protesters’ Concerns
Protesters alleged that the quarters and surrounding areas were dilapidated, poorly maintained, and vulnerable to snakes entering residential spaces.
Railway Authorities’ Response
Railway officials said the allegations about the residential quarters would be looked into and that necessary steps would be taken.
Emergency and environmental safety
Protesters’ Concerns
Protesters demanded regular clearing of jungle and vegetation, better lighting for workers returning from night duty, and improved emergency arrangements.
Railway Authorities’ Response
Officials assured the protesters that their concerns would be examined and said proposals would be made regarding infrastructure and medical-facility improvements.
- Patient
- The injured loco pilot is identified as P. Dungdo in one report and P.P. Dungdung in another.
- Condition
- Doctors said he was in critical condition and receiving ventilator support at Alipurduar District Hospital.
- Incident timing
- Reports place the snakebite on Sunday, with one account saying Sunday night and another reporting around 11:30 a.m.
- Initial treatment
- He was first taken to the divisional railway hospital, which reportedly lacked ventilator support.
- Protest location
- Railway employees and family members demonstrated at the crew lobby of Alipurduar Junction.
- Service disruption
- Train services were disrupted for about one to one-and-a-half hours; two Siliguri–Bamanhat local trains were reported stranded.
- Railway response
- Officials said concerns about medical facilities and residential quarters would be examined and necessary measures considered.
