(a) whether the Government is considering to close small railway
crossings in various States;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is also considering to close small
railway crossings in Nagpur Zone of Maharashtra also;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the people of surrounding villages are likely to be
affected due to closure of these railway crossings; and
(f) the steps being taken by the Government to resolve their
problems?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) & (b) As per the extant policy on the Railways, those Level
Crossings which are having very meagre traffic are considered for
closure with the approval of State Government Authorities and
Commissioner for Railway Safety. This is finalised based on the
traffic volume assessed periodically once in three years.
(c)&(d) Yes, Sir. Nagpur in Maharashtra is served by two Railway
Zones i.e. Central Railway & South East Central Railway. Two
level crossings of Nagpur Division on Central Railway are
presently under consideration for closure due to very
meagre traffic. Besides, three level crossings on Nagpur
Division of South East Central have been closed recently for
the same reason.
(e)& (f) No, Sir. The level crossings are closed only with the
consent of the State Government. The people of the surrounding
villages are not likely to be affected due to closure of these
level crossings as the availability of access to the affected
people, if any, via adjoining level crossing is seen before
proposing any level crossing for closure.