Date:28/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/28/stories/2006022821120300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Railways' plea to cut noise pollution

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: Southern Railways have requested the public to tone down the volume of the audio systems placed near railway crossings, especially unmanned ones, in the division to prevent hindrance to the crew of locomotives and road users.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by the Railways into the accident that led to the death of three persons at the unmanned level-crossing at Bapu Badiyar junction near Alappuzha railway station on Sunday had revealed that the loud speaker of the temple situated near the railway crossing was played at full volume.

"Due to sound pollution, it is learnt, the driver of the car could not hear the whistle of the Kurla-Thiruvananthapuram Netravati Express that was coming to the State capital," the Railways said in a release.

The Railways have also registered a case at the Alappuzha North police station in connection with the accident.