In a conscious bid to thwart accidents at unmanned level-crossings, the Tiruchi railway divisional authorities have deployed “Gate Mitras” at these vulnerable spots to alert road users about approaching trains and counsel them on safety measures.
Acting on the direction of the Southern Railway headquarters, the divisional authorities have put in place the new initiative of “Gate Mitras” at various unmanned crossings falling within the vast limits of Tiruchi Division encompassing over 10 revenue districts.
Attired in distinctive uniform, the job of the “Gate Mitras” would be to alert road users about an approaching train and counsel them on safety measures from dawn to dusk.
Agencies were identified by floating tender for supplying manpower to act as “Gate Mitras” in the chord line (Villupuram – Ariyalur – Tiruchi ) and main line (Villupuram – Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam – Tiruchi) broad gauge sections.
Railway authorities told The Hindu that Gate Mitras had been deployed at 177 unmanned level-crossings till now out of 192 falling within the Tiruchi Railway Division’s jurisdiction.
“Bulk of the unmanned level-crossings has been covered through the Gate Mitra initiative,” A.K. Tiruchi, Divisional Railway Manager (Tiruchi), said.
Personnel deployed as “Gate Mitras” would alert road users regarding an approaching train at the unmanned level-crossing and counsel them to remain vigilant in front of crossing the gate, a senior railway officer said.
The Gate Mitras would work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the designated unmanned crossings they were deployed to check accidents at these vulnerable spots.
Railway officials say boards had been installed a few metres ahead of the unmanned level-crossings to caution road users. The Gate Mitras are not regular railway employees and would be paid wages for the assignment they were entrusted with, authorities said.
