Executive Summary:
This document addresses a parliamentary inquiry regarding unmanned level crossings (ULCs) in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It confirms that all ULCs on broad gauge lines were eliminated by January 31, 2019, through various methods, including manning, closure, and construction of bridges. The document also outlines ongoing efforts to enhance safety at level crossings and provide alternative arrangements for commuters.
Key Points / Main Content:
Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossings:
* All UMLCs on broad gauge lines in India, including Tamil Nadu, were eliminated by January 31, 2019.
* Elimination methods included manning, closure/merger, and construction of Road Over Bridges (ROB) / Road Under Bridges (RUB).
Alternative Arrangements and Infrastructure Development:
* Railways undertake subway/FOB construction at closed LC locations based on safety, train mobility, infrastructure impact, priority, feasibility, and fund availability.
* Three subways are sanctioned in Tamil Nadu at closed LC locations.
* ROB/RUB construction is an ongoing process prioritized by safety, mobility impact and road user impact.
* Between 2014-2025, 13,426 ROBs/RUBs were constructed, including 747 in Tamil Nadu, compared to 4,148 between 2004-2014.
* As of April 1, 2025, 4,402 ROBs/RUBs are sanctioned on Indian Railways at a cost of ₹1,00,860 crore, including 235 in Tamil Nadu at ₹4,669 crore.
Safety Enhancement Measures:
* Level Crossings with high Rail/Road traffic are interlocked with signals.
* Inspection drives ensure availability of basic infrastructure (whistle boards, warning boards, speed breakers).
* Public awareness campaigns promote safety at level crossings.
Impact Analysis
Stakeholders Impacted:
* **Railway Authorities:**
* *Impact:* Required to continue prioritizing and executing ROB/RUB construction based on safety and mobility impact.
* *Action Required:* Maintain inspection drives and ensure basic infrastructure availability at level crossings, and continue public awareness campaigns.
* **Commuters/Road Users:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from enhanced safety due to the elimination of UMLCs and construction of ROBs/RUBs/subways.
* *Action Required:* Exercise caution and follow safety guidelines while using level crossings.
* **Government of Tamil Nadu:**
* *Impact:* Collaboration with Indian Railways on infrastructure projects and safety measures.
* *Action Required:* Coordinate with Railways on ROB/RUB projects and support public awareness campaigns.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for railways in India, answering the Lok Sabha question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding unmanned level crossings was raised.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of unmanned level crossings and related infrastructure.
Unmanned Level Crossings (ULCs): Railroad crossings without barriers or manned gates, the primary subject of the question.
Road Over Bridge (ROB) / Road Under Bridge (RUB): Infrastructure projects undertaken to replace level crossings, improving safety and traffic flow.
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for eliminating UMLCs and enhancing safety.
Broad Gauge (BG): The most common railway track gauge in India. All Unmanned level crossings UMLCs on running lines of Broad Gauge BG network of Indian Railways including Tamil Naduhave been eliminated by 31.01.2019
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1715
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSING IN THE COUNTRY
1715. SHRI SELVAM G:
SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of unmanned level crossings (ULCs) in
the country particularly in the State of Tamil Nadu, district-wise;
(b) whether the Government has fixed any deadline to eliminate all
unmanned level crossings on operational railway lines and if so,
the details of the target and current progress in the said State;
(c) whether the Government has taken note of abandoned/non-
functional railway crossings in the said State, if so, the details
thereof;
(d) whether a time frame has been fixed to ensure the safety of
pedestrians and commuters, if so, the details thereof;
(e) the details of the alternative arrangements made for commuters
in locations across Tamil Nadu where unmanned level crossings
have been removed/permanently closed such as foot overbridges,
under passes and road diversions; and
(f) the details of the measures undertaken by the Government to
enhance public safety at level crossings in the said State such as
installation of gates, awareness campaigns, deployment of
personnel and technology-based interventions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) : All Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on running lines of
Broad Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railways including Tamil Naduhave been eliminated by 31.01.2019. These UMLCs were eliminated
by manning, closer/merger (due to low Train Vehicle Units) &
construction of Road Over Bridge (ROB)/Road Under Bridge (RUB)
depending upon the site conditions.
Provision of railway track crossing work (Subway / FOB) at
closed LCs locations are taken up by Railways, if the location is
affecting safety in train operations, mobility of trains and
infrastructures adversely due to trespassing, in phases depending on
its priority, feasibility and availability of funds. Presently, 03 Nos.
subways are sanctioned at closed LC locations in the State of Tamil
Nadu.
Sanctioning and execution of works of Road Over Bridges/ Road
Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) in lieu of LCs is a continuous and
ongoing process on Indian Railways. Such works are prioritized and
taken up on the basis of its impact on safety and mobility in train
operations and impact on road users.
Nos. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the
period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-25 (June’25) is as under:
Period ROBs/ RUBs constructed
2004-14 4,148 Nos.
2014-25 (June’25) 13,426 Nos. (including 747 Nos. in
the State of Tamil Nadu)
As on 01.04.2025, 4,402 Nos. ROBs/ RUBs are sanctioned at the
cost of ₹ 1,00,860 Cr on Indian Railways including 235 Nos. Road
Over Bridge (ROB)/Road Under Bridge (RUB) at the cost of ₹ 4,669
crore in the State of Tamil Nadu, which are at various stages of
planning and execution.Further, following steps have been taken by Indian Railways to
minimize rail accidents at LCs in the country:
Level Crossings having high Rail/Road vehicular traffic are
interlocked with signals for enhancing safety.
Inspection drives are being launched from time to time to
ensure availability of basic infrastructure at level crossings such as
whistle boards, road warning boards, speed breakers etc.
Public awareness campaigns/safety slogans are undertaken to
create safety consciousness among road users for safe passage at
level crossings.
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