Lok Sabha Question No. 1571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Accidents at Unmanned Level Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1571 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## ACCIDENTS AT UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS

1571.   SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  identified  Unmanned  Level  Crossings (ULCs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the total number of ULCs, State-wise;
- (c) the  time  frame  set  by  the  Government  to  prevent  train  accidents  at ULCs; and
- (d) the details of security and safety measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1571 BY SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  19.12.2018  REGARDING  ACCIDENTS  AT  UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS

(a):  Yes,  Madam.    As  on  01.04.2018,  there  were  5792  unmanned  level crossings (UMLCs) out of which 3479 were on Broad Gauge (BG), 1135 on Meter Gauge (MG) and 1178 on Narrow Gauge (NG).  All level crossings on BG (3479) have been identified for elimination.

(b) & (c): As per Section 131 of Motor Vehicles Act and Section 161 of The Railways Act, the onus for safe movement over UMLC has been put entirely on the road users.  However, in view of the loss of human life at UMLCs, Railways have taken proactive measures to eliminate them on Broad Gauge (BG) route through closure/merger/grade-separator/manning.  All UMLCs on BG have now been eliminated except 28 UMLCs (27 in Rajasthan and 1 in Uttar Pradesh) which have also been planned to be eliminated on priority.

(d): Indian Railways have taken the following proactive measures to ensure the safety and security at unmanned level crossings:

- (i) SMS-based campaigns to create awareness amongst road users.
- (ii)  Social  awareness  campaigns  to  educate  road  users  with  the  use  of various print and  electronic media  for observance  of safe practices prescribed in Motor Vehicles Act and The Railways Act.

(iii)  Public  awareness  campaigns  at  different  places  like  villages,  Gram Panchayat, weekly market, bus stands, schools and other public places.

(iv) Nukkad Nataks organized at public places with theme 'Safety at Level Crossings'.

- (v)  Drives  to  ensure  availability  of  basic  infrastructure  at  unmanned  level crossings  including  whistle  boards,  road  warning  boards,  speed  breakers, visibility etc. as per the laid down standards.

(vi) Periodic inspection of such crossings by Railway officials to ensure the above and for taking corrective actions, if any. (vii)  Level  crossing  awareness  week  is  organized  each  year  by  the  Zonal Railways, which also includes the 'International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD)'. (viii)  Joint  awareness  and  safety  campaigns  are  being  done  with  State Police  Departments  and  RTO  officials  to  ensure  safety  measures  and observance of rules by road users to prevent accidents at UMLCs. (ix)  In  addition,  to  ensure  safety,  all  unmanned  level  crossings  have  been provided with Gate Mitra to counsel/warn the road users for observance of safe practices while negotiating the unmanned level crossings.

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