Title - SCR to construct 25 limited height subways

Nearly one-third of the level crossings in the area covered by South Central Railway (SCR) are unmanned and efforts are on to ensure that the unmanned crossings are replaced with limited height subways (LHS) or introduce road diversions. This year, the SCR is planning to construct 25 LHS in its limits.

Every year, nearly 15 persons lose their lives in accidents while crossing these unmanned crossings and in almost all the cases, these accidents happen as those crossing the railway tracks do not observe the mandatory precautions, railway authorities say. According to a spokesman of the SCR, there are 2,122 level crossings in SCR area and of these, 705 are unmanned level crossings. The SCR’s safety action plan envisages converting all the unmanned level crossings by 2016 into either manned crossings or into LHS.

So far, 370 such level crossings were converted into LHSs or road diversions were planned, the spokesman disclosed.

“In fact, since last couple of years, the number of casualties came down. In 2012-13, four persons died and efforts are onto ensure zero accidents at these crossings,” says the spokesperson. Limited Height Subways, which are shorter versions of road under bridges, are being constructed every year at possible locations to ensure safe passage for road users. Since 2010-11, 60 such subways were constructed at different locations spending about Rs. 2 crore on each subway, he said.

Every year on an average, 15 persons lose their lives while crossing unmanned crossings. There are 2,122 level crossings in SCR area and of these, 705 are unmanned crossings.

Plans are on to convert all unmanned level crossings by 2016 into either manned crossings or into LHS and since 2010-11, 60 subways were constructed at different locations spending about Rs. 2 crore on each.