All unmanned railway crossings in India are to be closed under a new proposal in the country’s Interim Rail Budget for 2014-15.
The removal of unmanned crossings is one of several new safety measures to be introduced in 2014.
Around 15,000 people are thought to die crossing rail tracks in India every year.
Presenting the budget, India’s Minister of Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, outlined plans to also implement train protection systems and install dead man switches on all trains.
Other measures to be introduced this year will include the creation of an independent Rail Tariff Authority, which will advise the government on fares and freight charges, and the introduction of 72 new trains.
A total of Rs 64,305 Crore (€7.6 billion) will be invested in India’s railway in the next 12 months, without increasing ticket prices or freight charges.
A series of milestone infrastructure projects will also be completed in 2014, including the commissioning of the Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar line in March.
Kharge said that work will continue developing plans for a high-speed line between Mumbai-Ahmedabad, with the results of a feasibility study expected to be published in 2015. In the meantime, Indian Railways is looking at cheaper options to increase line speeds to 160-200 km/h.
As well as developing more opportunities for private sector companies through public-private partnership (PPP) schemes, the Indian Government has said it is considering a proposal for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
