Mumbai: In a bid to avoid any unfortunate incidents at level crossing (LC) gates, the safety department of the Mumbai division of the Central Railway (CR) has planned to organise a safety awareness campaign across its networks.
The CR has named the drive as ‘safety drive at level crossing gates’. The move seemed to be a lesson after 13 people were killed in an accident at an unmanned level crossing (UMLC) in Uttar Pradesh in April 2018.
According to a CR official, the LC gate is a spot where rail and road intersects. “Street plays were organised at LC gates of Diva and Kalwa railway stations on Friday.
Meanwhile, personal counselling sessions and street plays were also held at Chunabhatti and Sewri railway stations on Saturday,” the official said. Further, the safety department has been distributing pamphlets among the road users who cross LC gates.
According to the Railways, “Under section 131 of Motor Vehicle Act (1988) and Section 161 of Indian Railway Act (1989), the onus of safe movement over UMLC has been put entirely on the road users.” An officer of Mumbai division, requesting anonymity, said, “A safety awareness campaign will be conducted at UMLC gate between Neral and Matheran section on June 4. The people have been asked not to cross from under the LC gate. The campaign will continue till June 13.”
Chief public relation officer of CR, Sunil Udasi said, “There are no UMLC on the mainlines of Mumbai division (few remain on siding). But there are 108 manned LC on mainline of Mumbai division (except sidings, etc).”
