Railways to install loudspeakers at level crossings to warn vehicles of incoming trains

Pankul Sharma| TNN | Nov 11, 2017, 20:35 IST

HIGHLIGHTS

360 people have been killed in train accidents during the past two years

Of these, 110 were killed in 55 accidents at level crossings across the country

Now, the loudspeakers at level crossings will broadcast alerts whenever a train approaches

BAREILLY: In the aftermath of a train-tanker collision on October 26, which claimed the life of the tanker driver and leaving a dozen train passengers injured, the railways is all set to install loudspeakers at level crossings that will broadcast alerts whenever a train approaches.

Rajendra Singh, PRO of North East Railways' Izzatnagar division, said on Saturday, "All 632 level crossings, including the 145 which are unmanned, will be equipped with loudspeakers at either side of the tracks.

"Besides, all the signals at level crossings will be interlocked with the gates and until the latter are closed, there will be no green signal for the train," he added.

According to Rajen Gohain, the minister of state for railways, 360 people have been killed in train accidents during the past two years. Of these, 110 were killed in 55 accidents at level crossings across the country.

In a reply to a question raised by the Rajya Sabha member Chunibhai Gohel on August 11, Gohain informed the house that 40 persons were killed at unmanned level crossings during the financial year 2016-17.

Singh told TOI, "To prevent accidents at level crossings, we are taking all measures including installation of loudspeakers and interlocking the gates with signal poles. We are continuously working to close such crossings by providing alternative provisions like subways, flyovers and connecting roads. However, sometimes adamant public supported by politicians prevent such projects from being implemented."

According to the district administration, BJP MLA Bhoharan Lal Maurya has written to railways not to construct subway at level crossing 19 of Lalkuan section.

During 2016-17, Izzatnagar division closed 22 unmanned crossings and provided subways at five of them. The remaining 17 have been connected to nearby crossings by road. Besides, at those crossings which have one lakh train-vehicle units (TVU) every 24 hours, flyovers are being constructed.

"We have installed loudspeakers at five level crossings, including at Izzatnagar. Very soon all crossings will have this. Meanwhile, at 200 crossings gates have been interlocked with the track signals so far," Singh added.