KOCHI: The city will see autorickshaw, tempo and bus drivers joining hands with the railway staff on the Indian Railways pursuit to create awareness among the public on the need to be vigilant at level crossings on Wednesday.The initiative is a part of an ongoing campaign by the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways, which was launched across the state on November 10.At least, 200 staff of the railways have been deployed to spread awareness among the public in the state, especially in the Alappuzha regions which have seen many deaths, at the level crossings, in the previous years. Also Ernakulam, which has at least 14 unmanned level crossings, is in a strong need of the campaign, the railway authorities said.According to railway authorities, safety at level crossings and lack of awareness among people regarding the dangers at unmanned level crossings is one of the prior issues being taken up by the railways.In the wake of at least 15 accidents at unmanned level crossings, in the past five years, in the Thiruvananthapuram division alone and another accident at the Oachira-Karunagappally stretch this year, the railway authorities said that the issue needs a stronger stand. Senior signalling engineer Selvan said, “We are distributing pamphlets with the slogan, “Nilku, Sradhikhu, Kadannupovu (Stop, Look and Proceed). Autos, buses and tempos within the city will be identified to carry stickers with the message for the public. Also, surprise checks will be conducted at the level crossings. Most of the time, the carelessness shown by the public is the reason for the accidents.”Pamphlets will be distributed in the market places, bus stands, schools and colleges. “Also, we have been instructed to man 12 unmanned level crossings in the state, especially along the Alappuzha stretch,” Selvan said.People are requested to obey traffic rules. Defaulters will be dealt with the provisions under the Railway act, railway authorities stated.
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