Enhancing safety through ROBs in Asansol division

Level Crossing (LC) gates are intersections where railway tracks cross roads or pathways at the same level. They are designed to ensure the safe movement of trains, vehicles, and pedestrians. Likewise, a road over-bridge (ROB) is a structure built to allow roads to pass over railway tracks without intersecting them at grade level. ROBs eliminate the need for level crossings, ensuring seamless traffic movement and enhancing safety.

Replacing LC gates with ROBs is crucial for improving safety, efficiency, and convenience. LC gates often cause traffic congestion due to frequent closures, while accidents can occur if road users ignore warnings. ROBs eliminate such risks by providing grade-separated crossings, ensuring uninterrupted road traffic and reducing the likelihood of collisions. They also enhance train punctuality by removing the need for speed restrictions near level crossings, thereby contributing to smoother and safer rail operations.

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This year, two LC gates – 1/A/E (between Barachak and Hasimara) and 6/SPL/T (between Andal and Topsi) – have already been closed following the construction of ROBs. Another three LC gates – 21 (between Chinpai and Suri), 22 (between Andal and Sainthia), and 27 (between Shankarpur and Jasidih) – are targeted for closure with ROBs during the current year. The initiative is being carried out with the necessary no objection certificate (NOC) already received from the state government.

This move reflects railways’ commitment to enhancing safety and operational efficiency through infrastructure modernisation.