Summary:
AGRA: North Eastern Railway (NER) zone reported 65 human casualties on unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) in the last four years and four months. The maximum casualties were reported from NER zone, with Varanasi division accounting for 64 of 65 deaths. Use of mobile phones and earplugs was among some of the major reasons behind these accidents.”According to official data, there are 175 UMLCs on meter gauge and 458 UMLCs on broad guage in NER zone. During this period, 26 people were also injured in 15 accidents in this zone.Sanjay Yadav, chief public relations officer of NER, said, “These casualties occurred due to negligence on part of drivers who did not pay heed to the warning of gate mitras posted on UMLCs. Some of the broad guage UMLCs have been removed.Following NER, Northern Railway zone reported 60 human casualties and 47 injuries in 25 accidents on UMLCs, North Western Railway reported 54 deaths and 19 injuries in 18 accidents, East Central Railway 24 deaths and 14 injuries in 11 accidents and South Eastern Railway 11 deaths and eight injuries in five accidents.The gradual elimination of unmanned level crossings has resulted in a steady decrease in the number of accidents on such locations — from 50 in 2014-2015 to 29 in 2015-2016, 20 in 2016-2017, 10 in 2017-2018 and one so far this year..