Gates for unprotected level crossings

Bell and light rail gates are to be erected across nearly 200-250 unprotected level crossings in the country by the Sri Lanka Railways shortly. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has granted a treasury allocation of Rs 1,000 million for this project on a request by Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.

The Railways which had called tenders for the construction of these gates said the coast line rail road will be given priority in setting up these gates, said General Manager of Railways B A P Ariyaratne.

He said there are 750 unprotected level crossings throughout the country which had led to a high incidence of accidents throughout the country leading to loss of a large number of lives. In November this year, 49 fatal incidents and 39 critical injuries were caused due to accidents at rail crossings.

In an effort to save valuable lives, minister Welgama has taken a decision that new railway cross roads would not be granted on requests made by individuals residing around rail roads.

However, this rule will be relaxed on requests made by Divisional Secretariat and Provincial Council authorities on grassroots level.