North Western Railway (NWR) has taken a major step to make rail crossings safer for the public. In the year 2025-26, the railway zone interlocked a total of 531 level crossing gates. This move aims to reduce accidents and ensure that trains and road traffic move without risk using modern technology.
What new safety features were added to the gates?
Along with interlocking, the railway installed several advanced systems to prevent mishaps. A total of 14 gates now have Emergency Slide Booms (ESB) and 31 locations are equipped with Remote Terminal Units (RTU). In the Bikaner and Jodhpur divisions, Electric Lifting Barriers (ELB) were installed at 9 interlocked gates in March 2026. Currently, 455 gates across NWR use the Electric Lifting Barrier system.
What are the latest updates on railway infrastructure?
The Indian Railways is investing heavily in safety and signaling. On April 7, 2026, the ministry approved projects worth over 10,364 crore rupees to strengthen communication and signaling across the network. A report from the PMO on April 23, 2026, noted that nearly 55,000 km of tracks were renovated over the last decade, which reduced track failures by 90 percent.
| Feature/Project | Details/Count |
|---|---|
| Interlocked Gates (2025-26) | 531 |
| Electric Lifting Barriers (Total NWR) | 455 |
| Emergency Slide Booms (ESB) | 14 |
| Remote Terminal Units (RTU) | 31 |
| Infrastructure Funding | 10,364+ Crore |
| Track Renovation (10 Years) | 55,000 km |