Railways spent Rs 700 crores to eliminate crossing in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 4 (UNI) The Indian Railway has spent Rs 700 crores extra on eliminating the railway crossings on the track in the Kashmir valley to minimise the chances of accidents.

Recently, a student Akeel Ahmad became the first victim of the train, after he was crushed to death at the Bagh-e-Mehtab on Srinagar-Badgam track.

A meeting, chaired by Governor N N Vohra, explored the possibilities of eliminating the obtaining railway crossings to reduce chances of the accidents.

It was revealed that out of 40 crossings, the Railways had already reduced the number to six.

A need was felt to bring down the number of such crossings to zero level.

Mr Vohra called upon the Railways authorities to explore the ways and means to achieve this objective.

However, S K Vij, Member Engineering, Railway Board, assured at a meeting, held here yesterday afternoon that the railway crossings would be totally eliminated, if the state government provided necessary support in draining out the rain water from the inundated areas during the monsoon.

He said that the Railways have already spent Rs 700 crore extra on eliminating the crossings on the rail tracks, so far.

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