With trains’ punctuality taking hit, Rlys rush RPF to level crossings
| Date :11-Sep-2019 |
By Dheeraj Fartode :
Railways plans to install CCTV cameras at busy level crossing gates to identify regular offenders and ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic
To prevent trespassing and for facilitating smooth movement of trains, Railway Protection Force (RPF) will deploy its personnel at the level crossing gates across the country. The move follows jump in detention of long distance trains at crossings during rush hour traffic of vehicles, mostly in fast developing urban centres. The development is expected to create a deterrence among wayward citizens whose antics are impediments in smooth movement of trains. Director General of Railway Protection Force (DG RPF) Arun Kumar have issued the directives to all Chief Security Commissioners of Zonal Railways and asked to identify busy level crossing gates for deployment of RPF personnel.
The DG RPF stated that Minister of Railways Piyush Goayal was highly concerned about issues pertaining to safety of passengers. These issues are personally monitored by him on his Dash Board. Congestion of vehicles at level crossing gates caused unwarranted delay in closing of the gates, resulting into loss of punctuality of trains, obstruction in movement of vehicular traffic and altercation between the road users and Gatemam, the DG RPF stated. He advised the Security Commissioners to deploy the men at such level crossings where there is a large flow of vehicles in the divisions.
Directing the RPF officials to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and civic authorities, the DG RPF asked to deploy additional men of local police, railwaymen along with RPF personnel the gates during peak hours. He further advised to hire private security guards also. To identify frequent offenders on the level crossing gates, the DG RPF has asked to install CCTV cameras at the gates. “Find out the offender and initiate stern action against them,” he directed. Sources in RPF informed that RPF personnel would be posted at level crossing gates with high traffic density to caution road users against trespassing.
Two-wheelers will be prevented from passing through a closed railway crossing gate, he said. The RPF teams will conduct surprise checks regularly to nab violators. It may be mentioned that RPF has power to prosecute trespasser under the Railway Act, 1989 which entails imprisonment for six months or Rs 1,000 as fine or both. The Divisional RPF officials have began study of the congested level crossing gates for deployment of personnel.