Chennai: Railway officials are working towards the closure of unmanned railway crossings in Chennai division with road over bridges and limited use subways. As the process will take time, the unmanned railway crossings will be guarded by ‘Gate Mitras’ to avoid mishaps.
There are 18 unmanned level crossings (LCs) in Chennai division. Currently, on the Chennai Beach to Villupuram section, there are seven unmanned LCs, of which three have been closed, and work is in progress to close another.
Unmanned LCs can be closed upright, using limited use subways, or by road over bridges. In order to limit the number of level crossings, limited use subways and relay roads are more common, as closing LCs doesn’t deter people from using the same place as a crossing.
“By the end of this year, the remaining three unmanned crossings on Beach-Villupuram line will be closed. Also, we have floated tenders for the appointment of Gate Mitras,” an official said.
“In order to improve the frequency of trains, it is essential that all the unmanned railway crossings be closed. I believe it will take more than a year to close all of them in Chennai division,” said V Santhanam, a commuter.
Gate Mitras will be non-Railway personnel who will be deployed during day hours near unmanned crossings to regulate the safe movement of people. They will be trained and told timings of the trains in order to help those at the crossings. Till the time the unmanned crossings are closed, these Gate Mitras will be deployed.
“Also, in order to improve safety of people at level crossings, tenders have been called for installation of devices like cat’s eyes, which are reflective safety devices used on roads, so that people at a distance will be aware of the crossing,” the official continued. This is to alert people who are sleepy and, those who are under a slight influence of alcohol.
According to the official, talks are on to put in place delineators, which are two-feet tall posts covered with reflective material, at unmanned crossings.
