Guwahati, Dec 17 (NationPress) Safety remains a top priority in train operations, with level crossing (LC) gates being essential for safe interactions between rail and road traffic, according to officials on Wednesday.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is committed to bolstering safety protocols at its LC gates by implementing systematic upgrades to signalling systems, leveraging modern technology, and adhering to regular maintenance routines.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma indicated that these strategies focus on reducing human involvement, improving reliability, and safeguarding passengers, road users, and railway operations throughout the zone.

As part of this safety-centric initiative, NFR has been steadily updating interlocked level crossing gates, ensuring that both train movement and road traffic are regulated through secure signalling and interlocking configurations, he stated.

Currently, NFR oversees 624 interlocked LC gates in the region, with eight newly installed during the current fiscal year (2025–26), showcasing a robust safety framework in railway operations.

Additionally, sliding boom systems have been introduced at 10 LC gates within Katihar (Bihar) and Rangiya and Tinsukia (both in Assam) divisions of the zone.

These sliding booms improve visibility and create a physical barrier at LC gates, significantly enhancing safety for road users during train passages.

To date, NFR has integrated a total of 582 sliding booms at its LC gates, according to the CPRO.

NFR has also made significant strides in replacing traditional mechanical lifting barriers with Electric Lifting Barriers (ELBs), which provide increased reliability and faster response times.

A total of 500 ELBs are now operational across NFR, marking a pivotal step forward in enhancing LC gate safety.

These ELBs have been deployed throughout all divisions, with a new ELB recently added in the Rangiya division, further expanding the reach of contemporary, automated safety systems.

This fiscal year, 14 mechanical lifting barriers have been replaced with ELBs, diminishing reliance on manual operations and improving safety at high-traffic and sensitive LC locations.

Sharma remarked that to further strengthen safety, System Integrity Testing (SIT) has been conducted at 220 LC gates across various divisions to verify the robustness and fail-safe functionality of signalling and interlocking systems.

Signalling cable meggering has also been performed at 32 LC gates, enabling the early detection of electrical issues and ensuring the effective operation of critical signalling infrastructure.

Through these extensive efforts, NFR has reaffirmed its steadfast dedication to safety, continually striving for safer train operations and enhanced protection for the public at LC gates throughout the area, the official noted.

The Northeast Frontier Railway operates across the Northeastern states, along with seven districts in West Bengal and five districts in northern Bihar.