Rly seeks states' help to eliminate unmanned level crossings

Railways has firmed up plans to expedite construction of bridges at unmanned level crossings to prevent accidents and asked state governments to share the cost.
The unmanned level crossings are responsible for maximum number of consequential train accidents. Currently railways has 31,254 level crossings, 40 per cent (12,582) of which are unmanned.
Railways has decided to progressively eliminate all unmanned level crossings by constructing road over bridges and under bridges or by manning the accident-prone spots, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said at a consultative committee meeting here.
He said the bridges can be constructed provided the state governments or local bodies agree to share 50 per cent cost of the project.

"Railways has also decided if state governments want to construct level crossings under Public Private Partnership model, it would fully bear the costs of its share," Kharge said.
He said due to limited availability of resources and funds being distributed over large numbers of projects, Railways is not able to achieve the desired level of progress.
Railways need funds for various ongoing projects like new lines, gauge conversion, doubling projects and construction of ROBs/RUBs, he said.