Dimapur, June 2 (MExN): The North East Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched an 30 days safety drives specially targeting manned as well as unmanned level crossing, an official release today.
“The stress is on ensuring availability of full complement of equipments, speed breakers, whistle boards, smooth approach roads, road signs and stop boards, availability of electronic power supply and adequate visibility be thoroughly scrutinized and adequate visibility for both train drivers and road users at the level crossings,” stated the release issued by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer.
The NFR has a large number of manned/unmanned level crossings and although standard protocols of safety are followed at all level crossings, they are the most vulnerable areas of the zone as far as safety is concerned, it said.
To this end, all the divisions are organizing public awareness campaigns to educate/counsel road users and distributing posters, pamphlets, handbills etc. in Gram Panchayats, markets, petrol pumps and other public places, it added.
The NFR further said that SMS alerts for awareness to road users are also being sent and campaign are being carried out through various media including newspapers, televisions, radio and slides in cinema halls, loudspeakers mounted on rickshaws to appeal to all road users “to observe all precautions embodied in motor vehicles act and railway act.” Divisions are also organizing safety seminars, nukkad nataks etc at various places in the divisions including road transport offices and educational institutions and various departments’ officers and staffs are involved in all these activities, it added.
The NFR is further undertaking “Joint ambush checks” involving Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police and civil authorities at the level crossings for apprehending errant road users under sections of motor vehicles act, the release further informed.
Counselling of road users and all railway staff who are directly or indirectly involved with the operation of Level Crossing are also an important focus area of the railway, it added.
