Title - Mobile van to spread awareness on unmanned level crossings

ALLAHABAD: To put a check on accidents at unmanned level crossings(ULCs), North Central Railway is launching a public awareness drive near such crossings with the help of a Mobile Video Van (MVV).

The Mobile Video Van would disseminate information among the public on the precautions to be taken while crossing the unmanned crossings.

The van consists of a 55-inche high definition LED television which as far is the best medium for delivering the message to the target audience in most effective way. The Mobile Video Van is the best medium to reach out to people in remote villages as well as urban areas to make them aware of all the railway safety policies and initiatives taken by the North Central Railway.

The number of accidents at unmanned crossings is a cause of concern. At present, there are 31,846 level crossings in the Indian Railways, out of which 13,530 are unmanned. In North Central Railway, there are 460 unmanned crossings.NCR also organises regular awareness drives among the public regarding the railway safety polices at the railway crossings. During the drive, public awareness campaign is being organized to counsel villagers, educational institutions and road users and make them aware of the provision of Motor vehicles Act and Railway Act by distributing posters, pamphlets, handbills in gram panchayats, markets, petrol pumps and other public places.

Many campaigns through newspapers, TV and radio are also being organised. Street plays are also organised to spread awareness about the safety measures to be taken at unmanned crossings.

To enhance the safety and reduce inconvenience to road users, busy level crossings are now being replaced by Road Over Bridges, Road Under Bridges and Limited Height Sub Ways (LHS).