Unpredictable gate closing timings causes unnecessary traffic jams and delays, especially during peak hours.
Railway level crossings near Nagenahalli, Chandrapura, Kenchenahalli and Kaggadaspura witness large traffic jams during peak hours mostly because of early gates closing. Residents frustrated over heavy flow of traffic and safety problems due to this.
Mr. Rajesh, Nagenahalli Resident said, “Sometimes, the gates are closed for 15 minutes, while other times it’s even longer. This unpredictable timing causes unnecessary traffic jams and delays, especially during peak hours.”
The Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual (IRPWM) vaguely suggests that gates should be closed “well in time” before the train’s arrival near railway crossing. However, this lack of specificity has led to inconsistent practices, particularly in areas like Bangalore, where heavy traffic can complicate the timely closure of railway crossings.
Umesh, spokesperson at the Divisional Railway Office (DRM), Bangalore Division said that they are currently not implementing any policies in the matter of specific time guidelines.
“We won’t remove the Level Crossing (LC) since most of these level crossings are century old and people have private lands in that area for constructing over and under bridges so they don’t allow us to remove the level crossing. However, we are trying to eliminate LC as much as possible by integrating Road Over Bridge (ROB) for railways, currently we have implemented more that fifty plus ROB in Bangalore and with the help of central government and state government we are planning to implement more,” he said.
Unlike in the United States, where the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established clear timeframes for closing crossings, India’s railway system operates with a more flexible approach, leaving room for potential safety gaps and increase in the traffic flow.
Residents and commuters argue that the government should establish specific guidelines to enhance safety and streamline traffic management around railway crossings.
Comparatively, in the United States, the FRA recommends closing crossings at least 20 seconds before a train travelling at 40 miles per hour (mph) or less arrives, and at least 30 seconds before a faster-moving train approaches. These clear guidelines are aimed at ensuring the safety of both motorists and pedestrians, providing a structured approach to managing railway crossings.
M.N Shreehari, traffic engineering advisor & consultant t said, “While the current practice of closing gates 15 minutes before a train’s arrival may seem reasonable, it falls short of providing the necessary clarity and precision needed to ensure the safety of commuters.”
Priya, a resident of Chandrapura said, “As a regular traveller, , I witnessed the dangers of the current system firsthand at the Chandrapura railway crossing . The lack of specific closure times often leads to last-minute scrambling and hurried decisions by motorists and pedestrians. This creates a chaotic environment that increases the risk of accidents.”
Sreehari further added, “Considering the unique traffic challenges faced in Bangalore, it becomes imperative to establish explicit guidelines that not only enhance safety but also contribute to the efficient management of railway crossings.I would strongly advocate for a comprehensive review of existing protocols and implementing a Road Over Bridge system.”
