Authorities must ensure safety at all unmanned level crossings

With more than two-thirds of the 3,111 level crossings in the country considered unsafe, a government survey has recommended improving safety features of around 2,000 rail crossings. It also recommended building overpasses or underpasses at 47 level crossings, and introducing an automated system at 194 unmanned crossings so that a warning bell goes off when a train approaches. Other recommendations include setting up gate barriers, putting in place electricity and telephone lines and other basic facilities at 1,436 more crossings.
Survey showed out of 2,083 level crossings across the country, 1,080 are unauthorised. The study recommended recruiting 5,772 people to ensure safety at level crossings. The development came as accidents at unmanned level crossings continue to claim lives, with around 70 per cent of the crossings under the country’s 3,093km railway network being either unauthorised or without dedicated manpower.
A total of 1,225 level crossings are both unauthorised and unmanned. With the unmanned authorised crossings, there are 2,173 level crossings without dedicated manpower in the country. Different government agencies have been involved in constructing unauthorised level crossings, with LGED having constructed 510. Last year, at least 326 people were killed and 113 were injured in 354 such accidents. Safety issues at level crossings took center stage after 11 people died as a train hit a microbus at a level crossing in Chattogram’s Mirsharai upazila on July 29 last year. After the incident, the railways ministry held an inter-ministerial meeting and asked both the BR and LGED to complete the survey as soon as possible.
As per the previous decision, LGED will take up projects to ensure safety at level crossings with the help of BR in terms of implementation. Safety and security of people should get priority. We ask the ministry concerned, the BR and the government to put emphasis on safety and security involving community people.