Railway Crossing Closures: Maintenance and New Safety Rules
Essential track maintenance leads to railway crossing closures in UP and MP. Learn about new safety protocols for level crossings.
Indian Railways has announced the temporary closure of several railway crossings across the country to facilitate essential track maintenance and critical safety overhauls. These operational updates are part of broader safety initiatives mandated by the Railway Board to ensure smoother and safer rail travel across various divisions.
Major Crossing Closures in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Travelers and local commuters in certain regions should prepare for transit disruptions due to scheduled maintenance work. Key closures include:
- Kanchausi Railway Crossing (Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh): This crossing is scheduled to remain closed for maintenance from October 22 through October 29, 2026, leading to significant local transit challenges.
- Eidgah Level Crossing No. 233 (Narmadapuram, Bhopal Division): Under the West Central Railway, this crossing was scheduled for a six-day closure from 8:00 AM on September 29, 2026, until 6:00 PM on October 4, 2026. Road traffic was restricted throughout this period to allow for necessary work.
Strict New Safety Protocols for Level Crossings
In addition to maintenance-related closures, the Railway Board has implemented strict new protocols for non-interlocked level crossings. These updated guidelines replace previous discretionary practices to enhance operational safety and standardization.
Under the new rules, gatemen must adhere to the following mandatory procedures:
- Visual Warnings: Gatemen are required to place a red flag or a red light on both the up and down tracks before opening a gate.
- Train Verification: Gates may only be opened after a train has fully passed. This must be verified by the presence of a tail board or tail lamp.
- Official Permission: Explicit permission must be obtained from the Station Master before the gate is opened to road traffic.
Furthermore, the previous distinction between gates categorized as open (OTRT) or closed (CTRT) to road traffic has been abolished in favor of these unified safety measures.
Infrastructure Damage and Local Protests
Operational challenges have also been reported due to accidents and infrastructure concerns. On October 26, 2026, the boom at Gate 64B near Mungra Badshahpur railway station in Jaunpur was severely damaged following a collision with a road transport bus. While emergency protocols were quickly activated to manage rail traffic and prevent extended delays, immediate site repairs were required.
Infrastructure issues have also led to public unrest in other areas. Protests were recently noted in Raipur regarding the closure of the Kota railway crossing. Other areas seeing significant maintenance-related closures include Urkura-Raipur, Saraswati Nagar, Hathoj, and Roshanpur Aliganj.