Cuddalore district, Southern Railway has initiated a rigorous safety drive to overhaul operations at non‑interlocked level crossings. The accident, in which a speeding passenger train struck a school van—causing the deaths of three children and injuries to two others—has prompted a multi‑pronged reform agenda aimed at preventing future incidents. In a high‑level meeting chaired by railway senior management, officials disclosed that the gatekeeper at the non‑interlocked gate reportedly dozed off, leaving the barrier open just as the van approached.
A preliminary investigation confirmed that the gate had not been closed, though the gatekeeper initially told the Station Master it had been. Recordings of the conversation were reviewed as part of the inquiry . Immediate measures include banning staff with a history of unsafe behaviour, particularly involving sleep or alcohol, and reassessing gatekeepers for competency. New certifications will be issued only after verification of performance and discipline. Only personnel with a minimum five‑year record of safe conduct will be deployed at unmanned or manually operated crossings; those with exemplary records will be rewarded .
Senior officers have been tasked with surprise inspections of crossings, verifying compliance with protocol—such as proper closure procedures, flag deployment, accurate communication logs, and visible red banners or lamps—failing which gatekeepers may face immediate suspension or termination. Private Number registers must reflect accurate gate status and timing . To address fatigue risks, a fresh roster review will reduce the existing 12‑hour shifts for gatekeepers to a more manageable eight hours, with similar adjustments for Station Masters as per workload. Within ten days, the railway will also audit staff Hours of Work and Rest, ensuring compliance with safety.
Visibility issues at the crash site prompted instructions to clear vegetation and obstructions within a 5‑metre radius of all crossing gates. Engineering teams are now conducting assessments, with mandatory clearance timelines enforced . Nationally, the Railways Ministry launched a 15‑day pan‑India inspection campaign so that similar vulnerabilities are addressed across zones, including installation of CCTV systems coupled with solar backup at critical crossings . Experts have emphasised that non‑interlocked crossings remain high‑risk given reliance on gatekeepers and lack of real‑time signalling integration .
The tragedy has also sparked dialogue between Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu government. While the Railway points to procedural failures and gatekeeper negligence, state officials challenge the delay in approving a fully funded underpass at the crossing—a solution that has languished despite prior sanction . This safety drive signifies a decisive step by Southern Railway to reinforce preventive mechanisms across its non‑interlocked network. As urban and rural communities increasingly rely on rail corridors, the reforms aim to promote safer, more equitable mobility infrastructure with strong accountability and operational integrity.
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