GUWAHATI: The Indian Railways has introduced rubberised surfacing at Level Crossing (LC) gates in the Lumding-Furkating section, in a bid to upgrade safety measures across its zone.
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Under this initiative, nine of the 17 LC gates in the section have received rubberised surfacing while the remaining gates are slated for completion by December 2024. The project, costing a total of ₹81 lakh, has been allocated ₹9 lakh per LC gate.
According to an NFR official, the installation process is highly efficient, requiring only a two-hour block to lay panels and a brief speed restriction of 30 km/h for two to three hours afterward. This streamlined approach reduces disruption while ensuring better operational efficiency.
Rubberised surfacing offers numerous advantages over traditional paver blocks, including a smoother road surface between tracks and one metre on both sides. This improves riding comfort for road users while significantly enhancing safety by eliminating check rails, thereby reducing risks such as breakage and frequent gap adjustments.
The adoption of rubberised surfacing also facilitates easier track maintenance during machine tamping activities.
Furthermore, maintenance needs get minimised as rubberised panels prevent cake ballast formation, prolonging the service life of critical track components like Elastic Rail Clips, GR pads, and liners.