The Ministry of Railways has launched a nationwide initiative to construct convenient rail underpasses aimed at preventing accidents caused by people crossing railway tracks.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the plan during a workshop held in New Delhi on Thursday, 26 March, directing officials to identify locations where frequent track crossings occur.
These underpasses will be constructed at locations where there is a settlement on one side of the railway track and fields, schools, cremation grounds, or other important and commonly used places on the other side, the ministry said in a statement.
The Railway Minister instructed officials to design such underpasses in a way that they become a lifesaving alternative for people crossing railway tracks.
Officials have been instructed to ensure that the structures allow people to carry bicycles, motorcycles, and work-related items comfortably, making them suitable for daily use.
The Railway Minister has directed officials to resolve this major issue in the country within the next 5-6 years, according to the ministry.
A key feature of the initiative is the use of pre-fabricated structures that can be installed within a 12-hour block period.
Once manufactured, the structures will be transported to the site, where a traffic block will be taken, the railway track temporarily cut, and the underpass installed and made operational within the same 12-hour window.
He also emphasised that the design should be user-friendly so that people do not hesitate to use them, and that the structures should not be affected by waterlogging.
