Wait at railway crossings to shorten

LUDHIANA: Waiting endlessly for trains to pass at the railway crossing would soon be a thing of the past as authorities have got the approaval of installing modern panel-locking system. The device would immediately send the signal on the distance between the crossing and an approching train and lock the gate when a train nears.
According to information, railway authorities in Delhi has approaved a project of Rs 1.5 crore for each of the city stations under Ferozepur Division.The work is expected to be completed within this year.
Divisional railway manager Bishwesh Chaubey said, “We have got the approval would install the devices at all crossings by the end of this year.The new device will send signals when a train nears the crossing. The gate will be lowered automatically and lifted the moment the train passes.”
“Presently, the procedure is manual and time-consuming. When the person on duty gets the message about an approaching train, he closes the gate. But sometimes, if the train gets delayed, he is not allowed to open the gate before proper confirmation. In such situations, commuters are compelled to wait endlessly,” he added.
Expressing happiness at the proposal, residents are waiting for its early implementation. Speaking about it, a citizen, Jatin Bawa, “Sometimes, a train does not pass the crossing even after it has been closed for around half-an-hour. It is difficult to wait, especially in this scorching heat and when you have pressing demands at hand.”
Reema, another commuter, said, “When technology has influenced all areas of our living, it is only railways who are still using traditional ways. It definitely needs to be changed with the changing scenario.”