TL;DR Indian Railways has significantly improved level crossing safety over the past decade. The number of level crossings has fallen by over 40%, while 97% are now manned and all unmanned broad-gauge crossings have been eliminated. Level crossing accidents have dropped from 45% of all train accidents in 2013–14 to just 3% in 2024–25. However, only 62% of crossings are signal-interlocked. Data from NCRB show that 22,695 railway crossing accidents were recorded between 2014 and 2024, with Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reporting the highest numbers.

Context

On the morning of 17 July 2026, the Nimtita-Katwa local passenger train struck a pool car carrying schoolchildren at a manned level crossing near Karna Subarna Railway Station in Murshidabad district, West Bengal. Five people died, four school students and a bicycle rider who happened to be crossing simultaneously. Three more were injured. The level crossing gate was open when the train approached. The gateman was arrested and taken for a medical examination to determine whether he was intoxicated. The Railway Ministry announced ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2.5 lakh to each of the injured. 

The accident did not happen at a defective or unmanned crossing. It happened at a fully manned gate, in the middle of a working morning, on a scheduled route, which is precisely what makes it the right moment to examine what India’s data says about the level crossing problem.

Who compiles this data?

The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is the primary authority responsible for compiling data on railway accidents. Commissioners of Railway Safety investigate serious train accidents and publish inquiry findings. In addition, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports statistics on railway crossing accidents through its annual Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) publication.

Where can I download clean & structured data related to this?

Clean, structured, and analysis-ready datasets on railway accidents are available through Dataful. These datasets include state-wise, year-wise, and time-of-occurrence-wise information on railway crossing accidents, along with the corresponding number of fatalities and injuries, making them suitable for research and policy analysis.

Key Insights

Level Crossings Declined by Over 40% Since 2013; 97% Are Now Manned

Railways classifies level crossings (LCs) as either manned (a gateman physically controls the barrier) or unmanned (no staff, relies on road user caution). The classification matters because they represent entirely different risk profiles and historically, different scales of death. As on 1 April 2013, Indian Railways had 31,254 total level crossings across its network, an average of 48 per 100 route kilometres, of which 12,582 were unmanned, and 18,672 were manned. By 1 April 2024, the total had reduced to 17777 level crossings, an average of 25 per 100 route kilometres, of which 17,260 were manned (97%) and 513 were unmanned (3%).

To enhance the safety of both road users and train passengers, Indian Railways has been progressively eliminating level crossings. All unmanned broad gauge level crossings were eliminated by 31 January 2019. In 2023–24, a further 784 manned level crossings were eliminated.

Infrastructure upgrades have also continued through the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs)/subways. During 2023–24, Indian Railways completed 296 ROBs and 782 RUBs/subways under various schemes, including cost-sharing arrangements, railway-funded works, deposit works, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, accommodation works, and projects executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Nearly Four in Ten Level Crossings Lack Signal Interlocking

Interlocking is a safety mechanism that integrates the operation of level crossing gates with railway signalling. Under this system, a train cannot receive a proceed signal unless the level crossing gate is securely closed to road traffic. The system also provides operational flexibility during emergencies. If a gate needs to be opened to allow the passage of an ambulance, fire engine, or other emergency vehicle, the gatekeeper can do so. In such cases, the railway signals on both approaches automatically remain at red (danger), ensuring that any approaching train is brought to a halt until the gate is closed again.

At non-interlocked level crossings, the gates operate independently of the signalling system. As opening the gate after it has been closed could expose road users to an approaching train, gatekeepers generally keep the gates closed until the train has passed.

As of 31 March 2024, a total of 11,062 level crossings were interlocked, accounting for just 62% of the total level crossings.

Over 22,000 Railway Crossing Accidents Reported in Eleven Years, UP and West Bengal Dominate

According to the NCRB’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (2014–2024), India recorded 22,695 railway level crossing accidents over the eleven-year period. Annual cases peaked at 3,123 in 2016, fell sharply to 1,014 in 2020 as COVID-19 lockdowns reduced road traffic, rose to 2,560 in 2022 with the return of normal mobility, and declined to 1,892 in 2024.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of accidents over the period (7,525), including 1,340 cases in 2022, the highest reported by any state in a single year. West Bengal has seen the sharpest recent increase, with accidents rising from 131 in 2014 to 805 in 2023, before easing to 549 in 2024, making it one of the worst-affected states. Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala have also consistently reported relatively high numbers, with Kerala showing a steady upward trend over the decade.

Data from CRS show that Level Crossing Accidents Fell from 45% to Nearly Zero of All Train Accidents in a Decade

According to data from the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS), the share of level crossing accidents in total train accidents has declined sharply over the past decade. In 2013–14, level crossing accidents accounted for 91 of 203 train accidents (45%). By 2024–25, there was only one level crossing accident out of 31 total train accidents, reducing their share to 3%.

The decline has been particularly pronounced since 2017–18, coinciding with the elimination of unmanned level crossings, increased construction of road over/under bridges, and wider adoption of signal interlocking. In 2023–24, the CRS recorded no level crossing accidents, marking the first year with zero such incidents.

Why does it matter?

Level crossings remain one of the most visible interfaces between rail and road transport, directly affecting millions of commuters every day. While engineering measures such as eliminating unmanned crossings, building road over/under bridges, and expanding signal interlocking have sharply reduced train accidents, thousands of road users continue to die or be injured at railway crossings. The persistence of accidents in a few states and the fact that nearly four in ten crossings still lack signal interlocking highlight where future safety investments and policy attention are most needed.

Key Numbers

• Number of Level Crossings (As of 01 Apr)

  • 2013: 31,254 ( 18,672 manned and 12,582 unmanned)

  • 2024: 17,777 (17,260 manned and 513 unmanned)

• Level Crossing Accidents as per NCRB:

  • 2014: 2547 ; 2019: 1788 ; 2024: 1892

• Railway Level Crossing Accidents as per CRS:

  • 2013-14: 91; 2018-19: 8; 2023-24: 0; 2024-25: 1