Southern Railway Launches Safety Drive at Non-Interlocked Level Crossings

Rapid Summary

• A tragic train accident in Semmankuppam, Cuddalore district killed three students and injured two others when a passenger train collided with a school van at a non-interlocked level crossing on July 8.
• Southern Railway has launched an intensive safety drive to prevent such accidents at non-interlocked level crossings.
• Measures include:

– Ban on gatekeepers with unsafe work behaviors such as sleeping or alcohol consumption.
– Knowledge, discipline, and behavior reassessments for gatekeepers; updated competency certifications.
– Random visits by senior officers to check safety practices, including Private Number register inspections and gate status. Violations will incur immediate suspension or removal from service.
– Review of work hours for gatekeepers, station Masters, and Assistant Station Masters; shift durations reduced from 12 hours to eight where necessary.

• Wild bushes that obstruct track visibility for drivers near the accident site are being cleared within the next 10 days as instructed during high-level meetings. Visibility must be maintained up to five meters from the center of the track on both sides.
• Engineering officers are conducting surprise checks on red flags (daytime) or hand-signal lamps (nighttime), ensuring proper warning signals are used when gates are open.
• Conversations between Station Masters and gatekeepers will be reviewed to confirm compliance with Gate Working Rules.

indian Opinion Analysis

Southern Railway’s swift response reflects the gravity of public safety concerns following the Semmankuppam tragedy. By focusing on stricter supervision of personnel at non-interlocked level crossings-a known area prone to human error-the measures address systemic gaps that led to this unfortunate incident.Reassessing working conditions like long shifts aims not only to improve performance but also reduce fatigue among railway staff.

Clearing visibility obstructions near level crossings is another pivotal step toward enhancing road-user awareness around trains. If successfully implemented across all zones impacted by such risks, these actions could substantially minimize similar accidents in India’s vast railway network.

although several operational reforms have been announced-including penalties for lapses-the effectiveness of these changes hinges on consistent enforcement and accountability at local levels. Ensuring coordination among engineering officials, station authorities, and field workers is crucial for sustained improvement in infrastructure standards across Southern Railway jurisdiction.

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