Lok Sabha Question No. 1715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Unmanned Level Crossing in the Country
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1715 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSING IN THE COUNTRY

1715. SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of unmanned level crossings (ULCs) in the country particularly in the State of Tamil Nadu, district-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has fixed any deadline to eliminate all unmanned level crossings on operational railway lines and if so, the details of the target and current progress in the said State;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  abandoned/nonfunctional  railway  crossings  in  the  said  State,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether  a  time  frame  has  been  fixed  to  ensure  the  safety  of pedestrians and commuters, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the alternative arrangements made for commuters in  locations across Tamil Nadu where unmanned level crossings have been removed/permanently closed such as foot overbridges, under passes and road diversions; and
- (f)  the  details  of  the  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  to enhance public safety at level crossings in the said State such as installation of gates, awareness campaigns, deployment of personnel and technology-based interventions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f) : All Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on running lines of Broad Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railways including Tamil Nadu have been eliminated by 31.01.2019.  These UMLCs were eliminated by  manning,  closer/merger  (due  to  low  Train  Vehicle  Units)  & construction  of  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROB)/Road  Under  Bridge  (RUB) depending upon the site conditions.

Provision  of  railway  track  crossing  work  (Subway  /  FOB)  at closed  LCs  locations    are  taken  up  by  Railways,  if  the  location  is affecting safety in train operations, mobility of trains and infrastructures adversely due to trespassing, in phases depending on its  priority,  feasibility  and  availability  of  funds.  Presently,  03  Nos. subways are sanctioned at closed LC locations in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Sanctioning and execution of works of Road Over Bridges/ Road Under  Bridges  (ROBs/RUBs)  in  lieu  of  LCs  is  a  continuous  and ongoing process on Indian Railways. Such works are prioritized and taken  up  on  the  basis  of  its  impact  on  safety  and  mobility  in  train operations and impact on road users.

Nos. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-25 (June'25) is as under:

| Period            | ROBs/ RUBs constructed                                      |
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2004-14           | 4,148 Nos.                                                  |
| 2014-25 (June'25) | 13,426 Nos. (including 747 Nos. in the State of Tamil Nadu) |

As on 01.04.2025, 4,402 Nos. ROBs/ RUBs are sanctioned at the cost  of  ₹ 1,00,860  Cr  on  Indian  Railways  including  235  Nos.  Road Over Bridge  (ROB)/Road Under Bridge  (RUB) at the cost of ₹ 4,669 crore  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu,  which  are  at  various  stages  of planning and execution.

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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