RailEnquiry

ALAPPUZHA: The Railway Protection Force and Railway Police (Kerala) in Alappuzha had earlier submitted a report to Indian Railway to appoint gatekeepers at unmanned level crossings. The report was submitted in May, 2010. RPF inspector James, who submitted the report to the divisional railway manager's office in Thiruvananthapuram, warned that there were several accident-prone unmanned railway crossings in the district. Alappuzha Railway Police SI C Vinod recalled that railway authorities, after receiving their report, had assured that they would take immediate steps to man such stations. Three months later, two German tourists were killed at Popallikavu's unmanned railway gate in Mararikkulam on August 8 when the Chennai- Alappuzha express rammed their car.

"Aroor level crossing was listed in the report. When we submitted the report, there were 45 unmanned railway crossings in the district. However, only 25 remain unmanned now,'' said Vinod.