8 May 2013

Change in Mindset of All Stakeholders is the Key to Avoid Accidents at Unmanned Level Crossings- GM / SCR


Shri D.P. Pande, GM SCR seen lighting a ceremonial lamp to mark the inauguration of a Seminar o­n Safety at Level Crossing

Shri D.P. Pande, GM SCR (3rd from left) seen  releasing a Brochure at  Seminar o­n Safety at Level Crossing
                           
Shri D.P. Pande, GM SCR seen addressing the participants at  a Seminar o­n Safety at Level Crossing
As  part of observing the International Level Crossing Awareness Day, South Central Railway organised a Seminar o­n “Safety at Level Crossing” today (7th May, 2013) at Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad. Shri D.P. Pande, General Manager, South Central Railway, the Chief Guest o­n the occasion, inaugurated the Seminar by lighting a Ceremonial Lamp.
          After releasing a colourful Brochure o­n safety at unmanned level crossings brought out by Safety Organisation of SCR, Shri D.P. Pande, General Manager addressed the participants. He said that accidents at Level Crossings has emerged as the most vital issue being faced by railways in the light of expansion of rail and road net works in the country. He said that while SCR has done commendable work in eliminating a large number of unmanned level crossings in the recent past, it is imperativethat the pace of closure of unmanned Level Crossings should be expedited with due coordination withState Government authorities.
         He further said that accidents can be avoided at unmanned level crossings by bringing about change in the mind set of all stake holders such as railway authorities /staff, road users and Civil authorities. He called upon all the stakeholders to understand the seriousness of this complex issue and take urgent steps in the direction of removing all Rail-Road unmanned crossings o­n top priority in addition to public awareness campaigns, seminars and inspections. There will be no level crossing in the new lines under construction / to be constructed in future, he informed. Funds are not a constraint for level crossing related works as far as the railway is concerned, he said, and directed the officials concerned to plan and speed up works like Road Over Bridge / Road Under Bridges / Limited Height Subways etc. in preference to manning of Gates.
         Shri D.K. Singh, Commissioner for Railway Safety, while addressing the participants, said that as many of the road users lack knowledge of the rules for crossing unmanned / manned level crossings, the Railways and State Government should undertake campaigns to educate the road users. He emphasized the strategy of following three 3 Es viz., Education, Enforcement & Engineering to effectively eliminate accidents at unmanned level crossings.
        Shri Srihari, Principal Chief Engineer, SCRdetailed the measures taken by SCR to maintain manned and unmanned level crossings as per the rules in order to eliminate accidents. SCR removed 168 unmanned level crossings in the year 2012-13. Further, he said that 58 Road Over Bridges are sanctioned o­n cost sharing basis with the State Government in replacement of manned level crossings and 22 are targeted for completion this year.
Shri Pandu Ranga Rao, Joint Commissioner Transport, Govt. of AP, in his address promised that all requisite help from transport department, Govt. of AP will be extended to the Railway officials in undertaking public awareness campaigns and removing unmanned level crossings etc.
       Shri S.P. Sahu, Chief Safety Officer, SCR, also spoke o­n the occasion. Shri S.K. Misra and Shri Rakesh Aron, Divisional Railway Managers and others presented their papers narrating the measures toeliminate accidents at level crossings. Officers and staff related to safety category including Traffic Inspectors, Safety Counselors and Gate Men attended the Seminar in large number.