Indian Railways is set to prioritise the construction of underpasses (subways) over traditional foot overbridges (FOBs) for crossing railway tracks, as part of a new passenger safety and accessibility initiative.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Ashwini Vaishnaw, where officials were directed to adopt a user-centric approach in designing crossing infrastructure. The Railways has stated that, wherever feasible, accessible and convenient underpasses will be preferred over FOBs, both within station premises and in surrounding areas.
The shift in strategy is driven by the observation that underpasses are more user-friendly and widely utilised, particularly by people who regularly cross tracks in urban and rural areas. Unlike foot overbridges, which require climbing stairs, underpasses offer easier access for pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler users, making them more practical for daily use.
To operationalise this approach, Indian Railways plans to roll out pilot projects across different regions of the country. These pilot underpasses will be designed to accommodate multiple modes of movement, including pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. In certain locations, wider structures may also support tractors and small vehicles, especially in rural areas.
The design of these underpasses will be tailored based on local requirements, ensuring suitability for both densely populated urban zones and agricultural regions. The aim is to create infrastructure that aligns with real-world usage patterns, thereby encouraging people to avoid unsafe track crossings.
This initiative is part of a broader push by Indian Railways to enhance safety, reduce accidents, and improve last-mile connectivity around railway tracks. It also complements ongoing efforts to build underpasses in mission mode at locations where people frequently cross tracks for daily activities such as accessing schools, farms, and workplaces.
By prioritising underpasses over foot overbridges, the Railways aims to create a more inclusive, practical, and safer crossing system, particularly for vulnerable users who may find elevated structures difficult to access.
