The railways have about 25000 unmanned level crossings in the country. Accidents are continually increasing in these crossings over the years leading to huge loss of human lives.
As per railway statistics, 80% of the all accidents in railways occur at the level crossings only. Of these, 90% (i.e.72% of all accidents) occur at the unmanned level crossings (ULC). Only 8% off all accidents take place at the 16000 odd manned level crossings.
These figures clearly favours deployment of gate-keepers at ULCs. But railway is not contemplating recruitment for the purpose. They are rather experimenting with advance warning system for the ULC, to warn the passengers against an advancing train. Such experimentations are going on at a number of centres. Using radio frequency, the system actuates an alarm bell when the train moves within three kilometers of a level crossing.
The technology has not yet been finalized. But a trial is going on in the Digha-Santragachhi section of South Eastern Railway with a gadget developed by Mithu Sen, the lecturer of Kharagpur Supervisor Training Centre.