Lok Sabha Question No. 881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Unmanned Level Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 881

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS

881.  DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of level crossings across the country at present;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  total  number  of  Unmanned  Level Crossings (LCs) in the country including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, district, State-wise;
- (c)  the deadline fixed by the Government to do away with the unmanned level crossings on all the operational lines;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  time  frame  to  ensure  that  all abandoned railway crossings will be safe for people/commuters, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the alternative provisions that the Government has made for the users where the unmanned level crossings have been done away with;
- (f)  the  number  of  people  killed  at  level  crossings  in  the  country  during 2022-23  and  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  minimize  such accidents; and
- (g) the steps taken by the Government to prevent accidents at the railway level crossings?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (g): All Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on running lines of Broad

Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railway have been eliminated by 31.01.2019.

As on 01.04.2023, there are total 17720 nos.  Manned level crossings on the running lines of BG Network of Indian Railway.

Elimination  of  level  crossings  (LCs)  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic process of Indian  Railway.  Such  works  are  taken  up  on  the  basis  of  its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc.

LCs are eliminated either by providing ROBs/ RUBs in lieu of LCs  or through  direct closure (for low traffic LCs) or by diversion of road traffic to nearby ROB/RUB/LC depending upon the site conditions.

During  the  period  from  2014-23,  total  10,867  Nos.  Road  Over  Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs) were constructed, whereas, during the period  from  2004-14,  only  4,148  Nos.  ROBs/RUBs  were  constructed  on Indian Railways.

During  2022-23,  no  consequential  accident  took  place  at  UMLCs existing  on  Meter  Gauge  (MG)  &  Narrow  Gauge  (NG)  sections  of  Indian Railway network, which are planned for elimination during Gauge conversion of the sections.

Further, following steps have been taken by Indian Railways to minimize rail accidents at LCs in the country:

-  Level Crossings having high Rail/Road vehicular traffic are interlocked with signals for enhancing safety.
-  Inspection  drives  are  being  launched  from  time  to  time  to  ensure availability  of  basic  infrastructure  at  level  crossings  such  as  whistle boards, road warning boards, speed breakers etc.
-  Public  awareness campaigns/safety slogans are undertaken to create safety  consciousness  among  road  users  for  safe  passage  at  level crossings.

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