Goyal says Railways has eliminated all unmanned level crossings

Goyal says Railways has eliminated all unmanned level crossings

PW Bureau 

Piyush Goyal-led Railway Ministry on Saturday announced that the last unmanned level crossing has been sealed

New Delhi: The Indian Railways has successfully eliminated all unmanned level crossings (ULCs) throughout the country's mammoth railway network, a significant step expected to reduce train-related accidents. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, while presenting the interim budget 2019, announced that the last unmanned level crossing has been sealed. In the wake of a spate of major train mishaps in recent years, the Railways had last year planned to eliminate all ULCs by March 31, 2020.

3,479 ULCs eliminated in last year

The Indian Railways has removed 3,479 ULCs in the last year, according to a Railway Ministry official. The Railways has developed subways and overpasses at various locations for individuals to cross the tracks. Additionally, the government is set to announce enhanced amenities for trains, passengers, along with other infrastructure advancements.

Because of ULCs, the majority of deaths while crossing railway tracks in the past were due to collisions between trains and vehicles.

"President Ram Nath Kovind said that almost all unmanned level crossings have been eliminated in the country. I am proud to say that the last unmanned level crossing of the country has also been eliminated this evening," Goyal said in a Tweet.

The number of railway accidents due to ULCs in 2009-10 was 65, while 48 accidents were reported in the following year, as per data shared by the Railway Ministry. Further, there were 54 collisions in 2011-2012, 53 accidents in 2012-2013, 47 accidents in 2013-2014, 50 accidents in 2014-2015, 29 accidents in 2015-2016, 20 accidents in 2016-2017, 10 accidents in 2017-2018, and three accidents in 2018-2019.

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