Level crossings—where railways intersect with roads—are critical but often dangerous intersections. In a country like India, where over 8,000 trains run daily and millions of vehicles cross railway tracks, the management of these crossings determines the safety of both rail and road users.
Among the various types, non-interlocked manned level crossings stand out as one of the most accident-prone due to their manual operation and lack of integration with the railway signaling system.
What Is a Non-Interlocked Manned Level Crossing?
A non-interlocked manned level crossing is a railway-road intersection where:
- A gatekeeper manually operates the gate.
- There is no integration with railway signals, so train movement does not trigger gate closure.
- Safety relies on human coordination, often through telephone calls, flags, or time charts.
These crossings are typically found in rural or semi-urban areas, where full-fledged signaling systems may be financially or logistically challenging.
Historical Context: Evolution of Level Crossing Safety in India
British Era
- Railways introduced in 1853.
- All level crossings were manually operated with minimal traffic.
- Accidents were rare due to low frequency of both trains and vehicles.
Post-Independence (1950s–1990s)
- Expansion of both road and rail networks.
- Surge in unmanned and non-interlocked crossings.
- Accidents started becoming more frequent and deadly.
2000s Onward
- Media attention and public outrage after high-profile tragedies.
- Shift towards automation and interlocking.
- Elimination of all unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) targeted and mostly achieved by 2020.
Major Accidents at Non-Interlocked Level Crossings
Kushinagar Tragedy (2018, Uttar Pradesh)
- A school van carrying 13 children was struck by a train at an unmanned crossing.
- All 13 children died.
- The van driver ignored warning signs, assuming no train was approaching.
Medak Bus Collision (2014, Telangana)
- A school bus carrying 40 students was hit by the Nanded–Secunderabad passenger train.
- 18 children were killed.
- The crossing was manned but non-interlocked, and the gate was reportedly open.
Madhubani Incident (2012, Bihar)
- A non-interlocked crossing failed to alert a minivan driver in time.
- The minivan was hit by a train; 6 passengers died.
- Investigations revealed a delay in manual communication.
Cuddalore School Van Tragedy (2025, Tamil Nadu)
- On July 8, 2025, at Gate No. 170 in Semmankuppam, Cuddalore district, a school van attempted to cross a non-interlocked manned level crossing.
- It was struck by the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai Passenger (Train No. 56813).
- The van was dragged nearly 50 meters.
- Three children died, and the driver and another student were seriously injured.
- Eyewitnesses claim the gate was left open and the gatekeeper was absent or negligent.
- The incident raised concerns about linguistic barriers, as the gatekeeper reportedly did not understand Tamil.
Data Snapshot: Level Crossing Accidents in India
- 2010: Over 100 accidents (~40% involving non-interlocked gates)
- 2015: 87 accidents (~35%)
- 2020: 55 accidents (~20%)
- 2023: 48 accidents (~15%, mostly in rural zones)
Even with declining numbers, most railway-related deaths still occur at level crossings.
Why Are Non-Interlocked Crossings Dangerous?
No Automatic Train Detection
Gates remain open unless the gatekeeper is informed manually.High Dependence on Human Vigilance
Gatekeepers may fall asleep, be distracted, or act under road-user pressure.Delayed Communication
Train arrival information often comes via walkie-talkie or landline.Lack of Warning Systems
No flashing lights or sirens unless the gatekeeper activates them.
Modernization and Government Initiatives
Mission Zero Accident (Launched 2016)
- Targeted to eliminate all UMLCs by 2020 (mostly completed).
- Focus now on interlocking manned crossings.
Interlocking Drive
- Converting gates to Electronic Interlocking (EI) systems.
- Installing Train Detection Sensors, Boom Barriers, and Auto Signals.
Infrastructure Funding
- Over ₹5,000 crore allocated under Railway Safety Fund and Setu Bharatam.
Community Engagement
- Visual signs, school campaigns, and auto-hooter systems in high-risk areas.
Technical Terms Explained
- Interlocking: System where signals and gates work together; gates auto-close for trains.
- Non-Interlocked: No connection between signal and gate. Gatekeeper must act manually.
- UMLC: Unmanned Level Crossing (now nearly eliminated in India).
- LHS: Limited Height Subway—an underpass alternative to level crossings.
- EI: Electronic Interlocking—digitally synchronizes gate and signal operation.
Recommendations to Enhance Safety
- Fully convert remaining non-interlocked gates to interlocked systems.
- Deploy GPS-based real-time alerts to all gatekeepers.
- Install CCTV surveillance and drunkenness/alertness checks.
- Add automatic closing gates on school routes and high-traffic areas.
- Use barrier fencing to restrict vehicle and pedestrian trespassing.
- Enable local-language hiring to avoid critical miscommunication.
Conclusion
The Cuddalore school van tragedy of 2025 underscores a critical truth: legacy systems like non-interlocked manned level crossings can no longer coexist with high-speed, high-volume modern rail networks. These crossings are vulnerable not because they are unmanned—but because they lack automation and oversight, relying entirely on human precision in imperfect conditions.
Despite progress, the margin for error at such junctions remains razor-thin. With the lives of children, workers, and citizens on the line daily, modernizing these crossings is not just a matter of policy—it is a matter of national urgency.
Sources
- PIB – Safety Performance of Indian Railways
- Sansad Questions – Level Crossing Accident Data
- Wikipedia – Kavach (Train Protection System)
