Title - ECoR blames road drivers for mishaps

BHUBANESWAR: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Wednesday sought to wash its hands off the tragic accident at an unmanned level crossing between Angul and Dhenkanal and attempted to shift the blame on the Bolero's driver, who along with four others in the vehicle died in the mishap.

A few hours after the tragedy, which killed five passengers of the van following a collision with the speeding Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express train, the ECoR issued a press statement, saying, "Most of the accidents at unmanned level crossings happen due to the negligence and reckless driving by drivers of road vehicles, who do not observe mandatory signage, signals and basic traffic safety rules, as per section 131 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and section 161 of the Railway's Act, 1989."

Official sources said as many as 71 people have died in accidents at unmanned level crossings under ECoR jurisdiction in Odisha since 2003. Wednesday's accident rekindled the memory of a similar tragedy on railway tracks near Khurda in April. Three persons were killed at an unmanned level crossing near Kaipadar railway station, about 30 km from here, after two speeding trains hit a mini truck on April 2.

As many as 407 unmanned and 399 manned level crossings fall under ECoR ambit in the state, sources said. The Sambalpur division has the maximum 239 number of unmanned level crossings, while Khurda division has 168 unmanned crossings.

Train commuters said the Railways should be held equally responsible for the loss of lives. "Train drivers should reduce the speed limit near unmanned level crossings. The drivers should keep honking before approaching the level crossings," said Bijay Mishra, a daily commuter.

ECoR's chief public relations officer R N Mohapatra, however, said, "The ECoR is regularly organizing social awareness campaigns to educate road users throughout the year, particularly at level crossings. We are distributing posters, leaflets and telecasting various short films/advertisements for the awareness of people. Safety counselling teams from ECoR's headquarters and divisional headquarters have also been organizing awareness programmes to educate people of panchayats, schools, weekly markets in rural areas and filling stations near National Highways. They also conduct ambush checks at unmanned level crossings at different places."