RAILWAYS TO USE NEW DEVICES TO CURTAIL LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENTS

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Indian Railways will install 100 Train Actuated Warning Device (TAWD) at selected level crossings spread across the country to give audio-visual warning to road users about an approaching train. Field trials of the new device to prove its reliability and fail-safe features and suitability have been carried out recently. Further installation of the device at more crossings will be considered after observing its performance and effectiveness.

During the last five years, 490 unmanned level crossings have been manned and funds for manning 2,145 numbers of level crossings already sanctioned. The policy of manning unmanned level crossings of railways is under review. Indian Railways require approximately Rs. 2,450 crores to man its 21,792 unmanned level crossings.

Anti Collision Device (ACD), a satellite-based technology developed by the Konkan Railway Corporation to prevent collision between trains, will give additional safety shield at manned and unmanned level crossings through an audio-visual indication to road users. Provision of ACD and necessary survey for provision of the device on different sections of Indian Railways is already on. The overall cost of providing ACD on the entire railway network is estimated at Rs. 1,600 crores.