3,479 unmanned level crossings on Indian Railways broad gauge network
Mumbai, April 27: A day after the horrific accident which left 13 students dead an unmanned level crossing in Uttar Pradesh's Kushihnagar, the Indian Railways on Friday revealed that a staggering 3,479 such unmanned crossings still exist on the entire broad gauge network.
However, a majority of these are believed to be functioning mainly in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country, said a Central Railway official.
The figures of similar unmanned crossings existing on the metre gauge and narrow gauge railway lines serving different parts of the country is not known.
Following a deadline given by the Railways, the authorities have claimed significant progress achieved on this front with only 58 unmanned crossings remaining to be either converted to manned level crossings or eliminated altogether with bridges or underpasses on the A, B and C routes.
These routes, categorized akin to "trunk routes", depending on major stations and routes, comprise over 80 percent of the Indian Railways traffic.
"As far as the Central Railway is concerned, there is not a single unmanned crossing on our entire network and all have been shut since one year," CR chief spokesperson Sunil Udasi told IANS.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal carried out a special review of Mission Mode Plan for eliminating unmanned crossings on the railway network in New Delhi on Friday, with members of the Railway Board, Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, General Managers of five railway zones and other high-ranking officials.
Goyal's review came after his maiden meeting as the new Railway Minister on September 7 last year, when he directed that all unmanned crossings must be eliminated within one year.
He was informed that many steps have been taken which have reduced accidents at these spots by 79 per cent in the past four years.
While there were 47 such accidents in 2013-2014, it came down to 10 in 2017-2018 and the average rate of elimination of these crossings has gone up by nearly two-thirds during the same period.
The minister has set a target of eliminating unmanned crossings in 11 zones by September 2018, and the target dates for the remaining five zones shall be announced shortly.
The IR plans a multi-pronged strategy to eliminate the remaining by maning them, or eliminating them by constructing underbridges or overbridges, diversions, etc.
The work on progress of eliminating such crossings shall be shared transparently with the people online through to increase accountability and public monitoring.
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No confusion in BJP-JD(S) alliance: Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday dismissed speculation over confusion in the BJP-JD(S) alliance, asserting that there was clarity within them and that discussions on the chief minister post were premature.
Addressing reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after chairing a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the immediate priority was to remove what he termed an "anti-people government" in the state and to strengthen the alliance to face upcoming polls.
"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said, underlining that leadership questions would be taken up at an appropriate time.
The JD(S) second-in-command said there is still a lot of work to be done and it was not appropriate to speak about such matters now.
"On the issue of alliance, both I and our party are open-minded. When the time comes, we will discuss it on the party platform and take a decision. There is no confusion regarding the alliance, and there will be no confusion in the future. This is my stand," Kumaraswamy said.
"There is a bad government in the state. My objective is to remove it and bring in a pro-people government. Removing this corrupt and bad government is my agenda. The JD(S) and BJP parties will work together to accomplish this task," he added.
Reiterating his stand, Kumaraswamy said, "My objective is to remove the anti-people government in the state. I have been saying this from the beginning."
On reports of internal differences over the alliance and the CM's position, the union minister said he would not respond to every statement made by individuals.
"Some people are speaking about the alliance and the chief minister's position. I do not feel the need to respond to them. If I start answering each of them, people may think I lack maturity. Therefore, I will not speak about it. We will strengthen the alliance together, face the elections together, and bring a pro-people government," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that discussions within parties were natural and not final.
He said there were still two years left for the Assembly elections while there were four to five months left for the local body elections.
The union minister said the JD(S) is also preparing for the municipal elections in Bengaluru city just as other parties.
He clarified that there had been no discussions so far between the two parties specifically on local body or GBA elections.
Earlier, the JD(S) leader chaired a meeting with Members of the Legislative Council, former MLAs and other leaders of his party to review preparations for the GBA elections.
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