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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No level-crossings in 100 km of Bengaluru zone
BENGALURU: The central government aims to eliminate all level crossing gates within a 100-km radius of Bengaluru over the next three years. A comprehensive survey of surrounding taluks and hoblis has been ordered, with a 45-day timeline to identify suitable locations for constructing Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Road Over Bridges (ROBs). The initiative is expected to enhance both road and rail safety and improve connectivity, said V Somanna, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti. He was speaking on Sunday at the inauguration of a new RUB constructed at Challaghatta in the Kengeri-Hejjala section, replacing level crossing no. 15. The project was completed for Rs 5.52 crore. 'I've instructed officials to survey all surrounding taluks and hoblis,' the Minister said. Somanna also announced plans for a Mega Coaching Terminal near Bengaluru Airport. 'The Railway Board has completed the survey, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared. We're currently evaluating sites around the airport, including Devanahalli and Chikkaballapur. A final decision will be made within three to four months,' he said. Before the inauguration, he also performed the ceremony for another RUB at level crossing no. 16 in the same section, connecting Ramohalli to Mysuru Road. That project will be developed for Rs 7.74 crore. Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, also present at the event, recalled a tragic accident where a person was fatally hit by a train and stressed the urgent need for more RUBs and ROBs to prevent such incidents.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Ashwini Vaishnaw reviews safety issues at level crossings after Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore accident
A day after the tragic incident of a passenger train colliding with a school van at a level crossing in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district, which killed three children, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed railway safety matters on July 9 and issued directions for the provision of CCTV systems at all level crossings, officials said. 'It has been directed that CCTV systems should be provided at all the level crossing (LC) gates, along with the necessary recording systems. The power supply for the CCTV should also be made available at the LC gate. The power supply can be based on solar panels, battery backup, UPS etc., in addition to a commercial supply. This activity is to be completed in mission mode,' a senior railway official who attended the review said. Officials said that a 15-day safety inspection drive on the LC gates in block sections has also been launched. At present, there are level crossings where interlocking systems are not available, in which case, at times, after the green signal is given to the train, it may start moving without the gate being closed. 'Fast-tracking interlocking of LC gates in mission mode is to be undertaken,' the official added. A Train Vehicle Unit (TVU) is a measure used in railway operations, specifically at level crossings, to assess the traffic density and prioritise safety measures. It is calculated by multiplying the number of train units by the number of road vehicle units passing through a level crossing within a 24-hour period. In the review meeting, it was decided to lower the TVU threshold for interlocking operations from 20,000 to 10,000, officials said. TVU is used to evaluate the risk level at level crossings and helps in deciding whether to eliminate, merge or man the crossings. It is also an important threshold to understand the need for building Road Over Bridges (ROB) or Road Under Bridges (RUB) to eliminate the risks of accidents. Editorial | Death by negligence: On the railway gate accident in Cuddalore Officials said that Railway PSUs may be involved in interlocking works and construction, and that all gates above 10,000 TVU will be interlocked irrespective of ROBs, RUBs or Limited Height Subway (LHS) plans. Further, for non-interlocked gates, daily random checks of voice recordings will be conducted at least twice per day from each division by Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) using Voice Logger Systems. Instructions were also issued in the review meeting to standardise speed breakers and warning boards at all LC gates, accelerate construction of LHS/RUB/ROB to eliminate LC gates and prepare a list of conflict-prone gates (where public pressures or manhandling happens) where Railway Protection Force or Home Guard deployment is to be ensured. According to 2024 Railway data, there are 17,083 manned level crossings, which are non-interlocking gates and require a person to open and shut gates when a train passes through.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
CCTV, Speed Breakers, Audits: Railways Tightens Safety Norms At Crossings After Tamil Nadu Tragedy
To support gatekeepers facing pressure from the public at high-conflict crossings, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Home Guard personnel will be deployed strategically. In response to the tragic train-van collision in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district that claimed the lives of three schoolchildren and injured six others, the Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive set of safety measures aimed at enhancing vigilance and accountability at railway-level crossings nationwide. The new directives include the installation of CCTV cameras with solar-powered backups at all Level Crossing (LC) gates to enable real-time monitoring and evidence collection. In a significant policy shift, the interlocking threshold—which allows automated gate operation—will be reduced from 20,000 to 10,000 Train Vehicle Units (TVU), ensuring more gates function with automated safety systems, especially at high-speed train routes. Additionally, the Railways will randomly audit voice recordings from at least two non-interlocked gates per division every day to monitor protocol adherence. Speed breakers and warning signage at LC gates will be redesigned for improved visibility and compliance. To support gatekeepers facing pressure from the public at high-conflict crossings, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Home Guard personnel will be deployed strategically. The ministry also announced an accelerated plan for constructing Road Over Bridges (ROBs), Road Under Bridges (RUBs), and Limited Height Subways (LHS) to eliminate vulnerable level crossings where possible. The measures reflect a heightened push to ensure that tragedies like the Cuddalore incident are not repeated and that railway crossings—often sites of preventable accidents—are made significantly safer. view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 08:34 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
7 days ago
- NDTV
Railways Brings New Safety Measures At Crossing After 3 Killed In Tamil Nadu
Chennai: A day after three students were killed and six others injured when a school van carrying them was hit by a train at a railway-level crossing in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore, the Railways has announced a set of safety measures to prevent similar tragedies across the country. Witnesses alleged that the gate was open when the train passed, raising concerns about operational negligence. Following a high-level meeting chaired by the Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the ministry has rolled out 11 key measures for immediate implementation. What are the key measures? CCTV cameras, supported by power backups via solar, UPS, and batteries, will be installed at all Level Crossing (LC) gates to gather real-time evidence. The threshold for interlocking gates will be lowered from 20,000 to 10,000 Train Vehicle Units (TVU), enabling them to function smoothly at high-speed crossings. Voice recordings from at least two non-interlocked gates per division will be randomly audited daily to ensure accountability and adherence to safety protocols. Speed breakers and warning signs at all LC gates will be regulated, with new designs to enhance visibility and compliance. RPF and Home Guard personnel will be deployed at conflict-prone LC gate areas where gatekeepers face pressure or resistance from the public. A Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Home Guard personnel will be deployed at the LC gates where gatekeepers face pressure or resistance from the public. Construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs), Road Under Bridges (RUBs), and Limited Height Subways (LHS) will be accelerated to eliminate level crossings wherever feasible. The Railways Ministry yesterday announced a 15-day safety inspection drive focusing on LC gates in block sections across India. The railways said that a preliminary investigation has revealed that while the gatekeeper proceeded to close the gate, the van driver insisted on allowing the vehicle to cross, which "should not have been permitted". A case of negligence has been registered against the gatekeeper; however, the exact sequence of events is under investigation.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet clears two railway projects worth Rs 6,405 crore in Jharkhand, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
In a boost to railway infrastructure and regional connectivity , the PM Modi-led Cabinet on Wednesday approved two multitracking projects — the Koderma–Barkakana doubling in Jharkhand and the Ballari–Chikjajur doubling in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the work will be completed within the next three years. Together, the plan will expand the Indian Railways network by 318 km, at a total estimated cost of Rs 6,405 crore. Both lines are critical for passenger and freight movement and will significantly reduce carbon emissions while enhancing operational efficiency. "Both projects are crucial for improving connectivity and boosting the economy, benefiting both tribal communities and the general population," said the union minister during a press conference. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Zabalj (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo Koderma–Barkakana line The Koderma–Barkakana (Arigada) doubling project, spanning 133 km, has been approved at a cost of Rs 3,063 crore. This line forms the shortest rail connection between Patna and Ranchi and is vital for intercity travel and logistics, according to a government presentation by Vaishnaw. The route passes through four districts in Jharkhand — Koderma, Chatra, Hazaribagh and Ramgarh — and will directly benefit 938 villages and a population of around 15 lakh. The scheme includes construction of 17 major bridges, 180 minor bridges, 42 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and 13 Road Under Bridges (RUBs), reflecting significant infrastructure enhancement. Live Events Once operational, it is expected to handle an additional 30.4 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is also expected to save 163 crore kilograms of CO₂ emissions and 32 crore litres of diesel per year — an environmental benefit equivalent to planting seven crore trees, said Vaishnaw. Ballari–Chikjajur doubling Meanwhile, the second project, the Ballari–Chikjajur doubling, covers a 185 km stretch and has been cleared at an estimated cost of Rs 3,342 crore. This line connects Mangalore Port to Secunderabad and is critical for moving key commodities such as iron ore, coking coal, steel, fertilizers, petroleum products and foodgrains. The venture will enhance connectivity for Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and Ananthpur district in Andhra Pradesh. With 19 stations, 29 major bridges, 230 minor bridges, 21 ROBs and 85 RUBs, the line will offer modernised infrastructure to support freight movement. The Ballari-Chikjajur doubling is likely to benefit around 13 lakh people across 470 villages and facilitate an additional 18.9 million tonnes of cargo annually. Like its Jharkhand counterpart, according to the union minister, this line promises significant environmental gains — reducing carbon emissions by 101 crore kilograms and saving 20 crore litres of diesel annually, equivalent to planting four crore trees.
