Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launches 15-day LC gate safety drive amid personal grief

As part of the review, a 15-day safety inspection campaign was launched for all LC gates located in block sections, aimed at enhancing vigilance, infrastructure, and operational readiness. Minister laid out a comprehensive plan involving the installation of CCTV cameras with reliable power backup at all LC gates, including solar, battery, UPS, or commercial sources.

A policy review will be undertaken to consider the conversion of ‘Close to Road Traffic’ gates into ‘Open to Road Traffic’ gates, wherever applicable. To improve safety infrastructure, the interlocking of LC gates will be accelerated in mission mode, with the involvement of Railway PSUs to fast-track construction. The threshold for interlocking work has been reduced from 20,000 to 10,000 Train Vehicle Units (TVU), and all gates exceeding this level will now be interlocked irrespective of existing plans for overpasses or underpasses.

Daily random checks of voice recordings will be carried out at non-interlocked LC gates, with Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) directed to ensure that all voice logger systems are functional. Additionally, speed breakers and warning signage at all gates will be standardized and corrected. Minister also called for swift construction of Limited Height Subways (LHS), Road Under Bridges (RUB), and Road Over Bridges (ROB) to progressively eliminate LC gates.

Furthermore, a list of conflict-prone LC gates locations that frequently face public pressure or incidents of manhandling will be compiled. Security presence through Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Home Guards will be ensured at these sensitive points.

This bold and urgent response reflects Indian Railways’ unwavering commitment to public safety, even in the face of personal adversity.