Replacing level crossings with ROBs, RUBs and lHS, safety is an integral part of the Railways for smooth flow of traffic of both rail and road passengers
Spanning a route kilometre of 7,197 with a running track of 9,310 km, Northern Railway is the largest zone on Indian Railways. A veritable backbone of Indian Railways, Northern Railway operates 1,711 trains which include 961 mail/express trains, 370 passenger trains, 164 DEMU, 101 MEMU trains and 108 EMU trains besides six rail car coaches on Kalka-Shimla rail sections. Of these, 1,091 mail/express trains run on a daily basis, which is the highest on Indian Railways. The railway carries more than 600 million passengers each year.
level crossings are an integral part of the railway system. The railway lines and roads cross each other at several places along a route. Increasing rail and road traffic is putting pressure on these crossings as well. Also, unfortunately, at times these level crossings become witness to accidents/collision between trains and motor vehicles, resulting in loss of life. Therefore, for smooth flow of traffic and for the safety of both rail and road passengers replacing these level crossings with ROBs, RUBs and lHS has become a priority for the Railways.
These ROB/RUB/lHS are constructed strictly according to the RDSO designs, after the approval of the railway board. Traffic condition on the road, the terrain and soil condition of the area water drainage and closeness of habitation are some aspects studied before hand while planning. The construction work is undertaken in a phased manner so that the traffic on both the road and rail is not completely disrupted.
At times, the traffic on the rail route is stopped for a limited time to facilitate the construction process; the overhead electric wires are also switched off, this is called the ‘Traffic Block’. During a Traffic Block there is no running of trains in both directions. Consequently, the trains are cancelled, short terminated or run via a diverted route. The information regarding the traffic block and the disruption of rail traffic is given to the public well in advance through the electronic and print media, so as to not cause any inconvenience.
On 20 September, Northern Railway executed the construction work of two lHS at level crossing no. 31 and 28 between Sonipat–Sandal Kalan stations on Delhi–Ambala–Kurukshetra section of Delhi division. A traffic block was undertaken for this purpose. The complicated construction work was completed with in the small window time of eight hours, setting a record over the IR in terms of speedy construction of two lHS within the same traffic block in double line electrified section. This section lies on a very busy route, having high passenger and goods train traffic. Only a few trains (11) were diverted and two were partially cancelled during the traffic block, this is an achievement in itself for the zone.
Northern Railway has a total of 3,957 level Crossings out of which 2,897 are Manned lCs and 1,060 are un-manned lCs which is second highest on IR. Construction of 07 Road Over Bridge, 03 Road Under Bridge and 46 low Height Subways has been completed uptill 31.08.2015.
To ensure safety and to avert accidents at the crossings several steps have been under taken. Gate mitras/councellors have been stationed at 27 vulnerable lCs. Besides a second whistle board has also been provided at 879 unmanned lCs.
Northern Railway has made a time bound plan for elimination of the un-manned level-crossings through closure (24), diversion or merger to nearby lC’s/RUB/ROB or (35), by construction of lHS/RUB/ROB (50) and by manning of unmanned level Crossings (20) in the present fiscal year.
Time to time safety drives are also carried out on the following aspects to prevent accidents at level-Crossings:
·Public Awareness Campaigns have been organised in which publicity through various media like Newspapers, Televisions, Radios and Slides have been shown in cinema halls in regional languages. Public Campaign organised to educate public regarding Motor Vehicle Act and Railways Act by distributing posters, pamphlets at village panchayats, petrol pumps, markets, dhabas and taxi stands
·Infrastructure Improvement and upgradation: Safety Counsellors have been deputed to check the infrastructures at UMlC like Road Signs, Whistle boards, road surface etc.
·Elimination plan: A target of 165 UMC to be eliminated by closing 75 to be replaced by lHS in the next financial year.
·lPs/AlPs whistling habits and alertness: A team of lIs and TIs has been formed to check habits of whistling by lPs and by AlPs while approaching level-crossings.