Over 15,000 persons killed on rail tracks this year

Despite continuous safety drive launched by railways, there is a significant increase in number of persons killed on tracks with the casualty figure touching 15,934 till September this year.

While there were 14,611 persons killed on rail tracks last year, the toll touched 15,934 till September this year, according to Railway Ministry data.

At unmanned level crossings (UMLC), 71 persons were killed this year while the last year's total figure was 202.

There are about 13,530 UMLCs in the country that need to be replaced with road over bridge (ROB) or road under bridge (RUB) and diversion roads and subways.

Admitting delay in completing construction of road over bridge and under bridge at many level crossings, a senior Railway Ministry official said "there are reasons for it."

"There are many factors including the availability of land involved in it and construction has to be carried with active cooperation of state governments," the official said.

Railways have also acknowledged that difference on technical and financial issues have delayed the construction of some over bridges as smooth construction of such bridges mainly depend upon sorting out of various issues between the national transporter and the state governments.

Railways maintained that delay in sanction of work in the state budget and finalisation of alignment and tender for the work of approach roads and the lack of proper fund allocation are other major reasons for the hindrance in speedy completion of ROB/RUB at unmanned level crossings.