ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has decided to improve safety infrastructure and monitoring at all level crossings to minimise the number of accidents. A high-level meeting was held in the ministry here on Monday, on Railway safety operation and unmanned level crossings, which was attended by all high-ranking officials of the ministry.

It was also decided to take stern action against drivers for violating safety measures. Various decisions with respect to safety operations and level crossings were taken in the meeting. It was also decided to run awareness campaign among the general masses.

According to the official data, 74 train accidents occurred during 2018-2019 compared to 67 in 2017-2018. The number of train accidents and fatalities remained high as well in 2019-2020, according to the sources. There are a total of 3,389 level crossings on the entire railways system, including 1,514 manned and 1,875 unmanned level crossings. Majority of the accidents occur at unmanned level crossings.

The Ministry of Railways has estimated that Rs25 billion will be required for up-gradation of unmanned level crossings across the country, including 550 vulnerable and 143 most vulnerable unmanned level crossings.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020