Kolkata, September 24 (Udaipur Kiran) : Eastern Railway has taken significant steps to enhance safety at level crossings in West Bengal, particularly following a tragic incident earlier this year that resulted in the deaths of five individuals. On September 23, the railway authorities launched the Auto PN (Private Number) system at a level crossing where the accident occurred, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of General Manager Gitika Pandey, who also oversaw the installation of this system at two additional level crossings between Karnasubarn and Khagardah Road stations. The changes come in response to a devastating accident on July 17, when a gatekeeper failed to close the railway gate in time, leading to a collision between a train and a car carrying children. Four children and a cyclist lost their lives, while several others sustained serious injuries.
In light of the incident, the Ministry of Railways mandated Eastern Railway to implement necessary safety improvements. During her visit, Pandey reviewed operational procedures at one of the level crossings and engaged with the gatekeeper to assess their knowledge of safety regulations, emergency protocols, and the maintenance of essential equipment.
Pandey emphasized the importance of strict adherence to safety rules and maintaining vigilance during critical duties. She also inspected the interlocking panel at Karnasubarn station and discussed operational procedures with the station master, focusing on signaling operations and safety measures related to train movements.
The new Auto PN system allows the station master to monitor the status of the level crossing gate in real-time. This system facilitates communication based on predetermined operational procedures between the station master and gatekeeper, ensuring that the gate is closed before a train is allowed to proceed.
A railway official noted that the system incorporates various technology-driven safety features, including verification of boom and lever locking, physical authentication based on RKT, accurate detection of train passage, real-time status updates, and certified train cancellation processes.
This initiative is designed to serve as an additional safety measure, complementing existing operational procedures and communication systems, while reducing the likelihood of procedural errors during train operations.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.