Bengaluru: Railways eliminates unmanned level crossing gates

Bengaluru: The South Western Railway (SWR) on Tuesday reported that it has dispensed with all unmanned level crossing gates in and around Bengaluru to improve the security of rail and road users. 

The railways in an announcement here said “All the 71 unmanned level crossings in the busy urban areas of Bengaluru have been dispensed with. Of them, 48 with gates have been shut and 23 doors are manned on round the clock,”

In spite of the fact that the Railway Board had set an objective for its zones the nation over to take out all unmanned level crossings (UMLC) by end-2018, the Bengaluru division accomplished it a half year ahead of the December due date. 

“With no unmanned level crossing over the railway lines or tracks, vehicular movement on streets will be protected and smooth, sparing manpower and upkeep costs,” said the announcement. 

Street under extensions or restricted tallness sub-ways were worked at 42 areas and street over scaffolds at two areas. The staying level crossing gates have been closed around occupying abutting streets to neighboring level crossings. 

As there were nine unmanned level crossing gates on rail lines in the city a year back, gate-men were given round the clock to caution road users about the moving trains.