Safety Paramount: 3,402 Unmanned Level Crossings Removed By Railways In Seven Months; 77 More Set To Go

Indian Railways has substantially reduced the number of unmanned level crossings over broad gauges as part of its drive to enhance safety across the network.

Of the 3,479 unmanned crossings, 3,402 have been closed in the last seven months. The transport behemoth plans to get rid of the remaining 77 by the end of December , report Times of India.

With such focused work and the elimination largely over, accidents have reduced from 65 in 2009-10 to 3 in 2018-19.

"Indian Railways has taken a mission area to eliminate all unmanned level crossings (UMLC) on broad gauge, and special efforts have been made so that elimination can be completed at the earliest," a statement from the state transporter said.

Most subways have been cleared by building a tube, road over bridges or by posting a guard at the gate. All crossings on routes and sub-routes, where speed is above 130 kmph has been eliminated.

The elimination of unmanned level crossings was undertaken across 12 railway zones.