Gate Keepers: RBE No.09/1986 – Gangmen at Level Crossings

No.E(NG)I-85/CFP/11, dated 20.01.1986

Sub: Posting of gate-keepers at level crossings.

1. The Railway Accident Enquiry Committee, 1978 (Sikri Committee) in Recommendation No.122, have made the following recommendation:-

“Literate gatemen only should be posted at manned level crossings having telephone communications.”

2. The above recommendation has been accepted by the Board, who have decided that as far as possible, literate gangmen should be posted as gatemen, on gates provided with telephone.

3. Instructions were issued in Board’s letter of even number dated 26.04.1985 for maintenance of a regular list of Gangmen fit in the appropriate medical category, in each gang by each PWI so that gangmen from out of this list only are utilised as gatemen against casual vacancies like sickness etc. of the regular incumbents. Provisions in Para 1 above should be kept in view in drawing up this list.

4.1 Further, it has been brought to Board’s notice that quite often Railways are not able to find suitable literate gangmen to work as gatemen where exchange of private numbers is involved. In this connection, attention is invited to the existing provisions in para 1609 of the Way & Works Manual and Rule 1601 of the General Rules (extracts enclosed as Annexure ‘A’ for ready reference).

4.2 The Board have considered this problem. Subject to the above provisions in the Way & Works Manual and the General Rules being observed, Board have no objection to Railway Administrations deploying casual gangmen with temporary status and with a minimum of five years’ service as gatekeepers in case suitable regular literate gangmen are not available to be posted as gatekeeper. Board trust that occasions to resort to this arrangement will be kept to the minimum.

Annexure-A

“Para 1609 of Indian Railways Way & Works Manual:

1609. Appointment of gatemen: rosters and medical fitness certificates – Before appointment, the Permanent Way Inspector should ensure that competent men selected as Gatemen have obtained certificates of fitness for Class A3 from the Medical Department and that they are examined thereafter at periods stipulated by the rules in force.”

GR 1601:

“Knowledge of signals:-

No person shall be appointed to be a gateman unless he has a knowledge of signals.”

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.09/1986 

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.