Railways falling short of target closure of level crossings since 2021: House panel

In 2022-23, 880 manned LCs were closed against the target of 1,000, but 67 additional ROBs/RUBs/Subways were constructed — total 1,067 — against the target of 1,000.

In 2023-2024, the railways again fell short of the target, closing down only 784 level crossings when the target was 1,100. Also, a total of 1,078 ROBs/RUBs/Subways were constructed against the target of 1,100.

“During 2024-25, `710 crore was allocated at the Revised Estimate (RE) stage for LC safety works, but only `476 crore was utilised as of January 2025. Similarly, for ROBs/RUBs, the Budget Estimate (BE) of `9,275 crore was revised downward to `7,474 crore at the RE stage, with actual utilisation standing at `5,338 crore (till January 2025),” said the Standing Committee on Railways in its report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) of the Ministry of Railways, which was presented in the Lok Sabha on March 10, 2025.

Asked about not meeting the targets, the ministry told the committee that the work depends on various factors like cooperation of state governments in giving consent for closure of LCs, land acquisition, removal of encroachment, statutory clearances from various authorities and law and order situation in the area.

The standing committee also asked the railways to set up a robust grievance redressal mechanism so that the complaints of people related to ROBs and RUBs can be addressed. It recommended that the railways should involve people’s representatives and local authorities in identifying and resolving problems related to ROBs and RUBs.

“Their input can serve as a bridge between the railways and affected communities, ensuring that solutions are practical and inclusive,” said the committee.

The matter of waterlogging in the under bridges of Railways was also raised by many MPs during the discussion on the Railway Budget in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

While responding on this issue, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said there are around 14,000 underpasses across the Indian Railways and pumps have been installed in around 4,000 of them.

“We are continuously working in this direction. A permanent correction has been done in around 1,800 underpasses, where it has been either upgraded with drainage, sealing, grouting, lining or concreting to tackle waterlogging issues,” said Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha.