The government has already drafted laws to fine Rs. 25,000 from drivers who are not obeying the signals at railroad crossing, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.
Speaking at the opening of signal bell systems built at the crossings on the Southern coastal line on Saturday, the Transport Minister said steps would also be taken to install CCTV cameras at main railway crossings.
According to the Minister, new laws are needed to protect lives and properties. As nearly 75 accidents occur annually at railway crossings, a program had been commenced to install 200 signal lights at a cost of USD 6.4 million.
Under the project, automatic alarm systems will be installed at all the unprotected crossings. In the first phase 200 such systems will be installed by the end of next year.
Bell and light security systems will be set up at 139 unprotected level crossings along the coastal line and at 61 places along the main and Puttalam lines. A total of 175 bells would be installed on single railway lines, while another 25 would be installed on double railway lines.
Cabinet approval has been obtained to install another 200 signals with the funds received from the Hungarian Government, the Minister said.
There are 1,337 crossings connected to the railway system in Sri Lanka. Of these, only 526 crossings have been protected with bell or light systems and 626 crossings have bamboo gates or no protection at all.
