Setu Bharatam: Project the Need of Hours

Abstract

Level crossing constitute high risk spots for Indian railway. In 2012, the Kakodar Committee strongly recommended eliminate of all the level crossing within 5 years. The expenditure for undertaking such a massive project, the report would be recovered due to saving through improving train operation. In India half the train accidents occur at level crossing out of 54 such incident in 2014-15, 48 accident toke place at unmanned level crossing which can be attribute to negligence of road user. In most cases the road users are the casually and some time heavy road vehicle can present a risk to trains as well. More than 50% of fatalities and a quarter of all injuries sustained by passenger, railway employees and others due to train accident occurred at level crossing. Railway and road crossing the two different infrastructure network during their normal operations results in increased chances of loss of life and property. These accidents also create a drag in the limiting capacity of trains leading to increased costs for operation and maintenance of the railways. An estimate 5% trains punctually on account of non closure of safety gate at crossings in time.