Title - Rlys makes bid to reduce level-crossing mishaps

Worried over the fatalities and mishaps at unmanned level crossings (ULCs), the Delhi Division of Northern Railway has decided to construct subways or underpasses at all the 250 ULCs falling in its jurisdiction in a phased manner over the next two years.A senior official said that the decision on whether to construct subways or underpasses will be based on factors including volume of traffic and the number of accidents reported earlier.The move comes after the Railway Ministry decided to progressively eliminate unmanned level crossings.A senior official of Delhi Division said that despite continuous awareness campaigns at ULCs, railway authorities across the country have not been able to control accidents. Accidents at ULCs take place mostly because of negligence on part of road commuters. But despite that, every accident at such crossings is blamed on the Railways. He confirmed that the Railways has decided to build these alternatives for crossing the tracks to avert any untoward incident at ULCs.“Construction of subways has already started at a few sites. The constructions at remaining ULCs will be started in phased manner,” an official said, adding that in Delhi, there are 16 level crossings and all of them are already manned, seeing heavy vehicular movement in the Capital. Some of the ULCs under Delhi Divisions are near Sampla, Asauda, between Panipat and Jind stations of Delhi division and construction of subway is underway between Panipat and Jind.

Giving details of plan for elimination of ULCs in Delhi division in next two years, an official said that ULCs having highest traffic or pedestrian movement will be given utmost priority along with the ULCs from where earlier accidents had been reported. The remaining ULCs will be closed in phased manner.

Divisional rail manager, Delhi Divisions, AK Sachan, said that following the Ministry’s direction, the Division will close all ULCs by constructing subways and underpasses as alternative to commuters. An official said that the Railways is also planning to merge some ULCs with near-by manned or unmanned gates or Road Under Bridge (RUBs) or Road Over Bridges (ROBs) by creating diversions.