The Tinsukia Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) set a major safety benchmark in July 2018 by successfully eliminating all unmanned railway level crossings within its jurisdiction. This proactive achievement marked the division as the first in the entire NFR zone to reach this critical safety milestone, aligning with the broader national objective of the Indian Railways to make train travel safer for both passengers and road users.
- Tinsukia Division completed the removal of all unmanned crossings in July 2018.
- The initiative was part of a nationwide safety drive directed by the Railway Board.
- Methods used included deploying gatemen, building Limited Height Subways (LHS), and gate closures.
- The entire NFR zone achieved this feat by November 2021.
- Indian Railways eliminated all unmanned crossings on Broad Gauge lines by January 2019.
A Commitment to Passenger Safety
Following specific directives from the then Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, the Railway Board mandated all Zonal Railways to prioritize the elimination of unmanned level crossings. The goal was to drastically reduce the risks of accidents at these points, which had long been a concern for railway operations. The Tinsukia Division responded swiftly to these instructions, adopting a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue.
To ensure smooth transition and connectivity, the division utilized several engineering and administrative solutions. Where traffic density warranted, gatemen were deployed to manage crossings manually. In other locations, the division opted for the construction of Limited Height Subways (LHS), allowing road traffic to pass safely beneath the tracks. Furthermore, in areas where alternative routes were available, the division successfully secured No Objection Certificates (NOC) from local district administrations to permanently close redundant crossings.
Setting the Pace for National Standards
The success of the Tinsukia Division served as a vital precursor to the transformation of the entire Northeast Frontier Railway zone, which went on to eliminate all its remaining unmanned crossings by November 2021. While the Tinsukia Division led the way locally in 2018, its efforts were part of a massive national campaign. On a pan-India scale, Indian Railways reached the significant target of eliminating all unmanned level crossings on its Broad Gauge network by January 2019. This accomplishment remains a testament to the effectiveness of the division’s early and decisive action in enhancing railway safety infrastructure.