New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) There will be no unmanned railway crossing in the country in five years, the Rajya Sabha was informed Thursday.
“There are 16,000 unmanned railway crossings in the country. It is our intention that all these are convered to manned crossings in five years. We will be converting 3,000 within this financial year itself,” Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee said while replying to the debate on her ministry’s supplementary grants for 2009-10.

The house later passed the Rs.731 crore measure by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill Tuesday.

Referring to the two dedicated freight projects, Banerjee said 21,000 acres of land had been acquired for the purpose. “We have also set up a monitoring committee for the project,” she added.

Referring to her ministry’s performance since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was returned to power in May, she said 43 new trains had been introduced since then and another 30 were in the pipeline.

“We have also introduced six of the 14 Duranto trains. These are cheaper than the Rajdhani Express and are very popular,” she added.

Referring to the additional safety measures being undertaken by the railways, Banerjee said additional anti-collission devices were being provided while a new formula for constructing road over bridges had been worked out.

“Under this, 80 percent of the cost will be borne by the centre and 20 percent by the state,” the minister said.

Deploring the damage to railway property in agitations, she said losses of Rs.500 crore had been suffered in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and other states where the Maoists were active.

“I am a political person. I am here today and may not be here tomorrow but the railway department will continue. Please let the railways function. It is the lifeline of the nation,” Banerjee said.