VIJAYAWADA: The South Central Railway launched a seven-day long special safety drive on June 2 with a view to checking accidents at unmanned level crossings (ULCs). The UIC (International Union of Railways) observes International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) every year and it is observing the same this year Wednesday.
The South Central Railway is participating in this global campaign to sensitise the road users about safety measures. The International Level Crossing Awareness Day focuses on educational measures and promotion of safe behaviour at and around level crossings. As part of it, public awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate the road users.
As on April 1, 2014, there are 1,431 level crossings under the jurisdiction of South Central Railway of which 655 are unmanned, where the accidents occur primarily due to inadequate precautions by the road users like failing to observe the mandatory signboards, and basic traffic safety rules (as per the Motor Vehicles Act). Against this backdrop, the SCR formulated a safety action plan to remove all the ULCs by the end of 2015-16 through various measures such as replacement of ULCs with limited height subways, suitable road diversions and manning of ULCs, etc. Moreover, the simple act of stopping and looking out for any approaching train in both directions and then crossing the track in a safe manner at ULCs will avoid any scope for accident.
Alertness and caution on the part of road users is of prime importance to achieve zero accidents at level crossings, said a press release issued by the SCR, Vijayawada division.
Special Trains Extended
Guntur: In order to clear the extra rush of passengers during the concluding part of summer vacation, South Central Railway has decided to continue the schedule of special express trains operated between Secunderabad and Guwahati via Guntur Division for two more trips. The original schedule of these special trains would conclude on June 6 and 9 from respective ends as per earlier notification. Accordingly train No-07249 will continue to be available on Fridays (June 3 and June 20) to leave Secunderabad at 7.30 am and reach Guwahati at 7.55 am Sunday. Similarly train No-07250 will continue to be available on Mondays (June 16 and 23) to leave Guwahati at 6.00 am Monday and reach Secunderabad at 10.00 am Wednesday.