Payyanur, Kerala: Negligence while crossing railway gates can prove costly, with violators facing hefty fines, cancellation of driving licences and even seizure of their vehicles, railway authorities have warned.

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According to data from the Palakkad Railway Division, 92 incidents involving violations at railway level crossings were reported over the past two years. These included damaging railway gates and vehicles entering railway tracks despite warning signals and closed barriers. A total of Rs 19.89 lakh was collected as fines, while the driving licences of eight riders were cancelled.

Vehicles involved in such incidents are seized by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Owners can recover them only through court proceedings, officials said.

In one such incident, a jeep got stranded on the railway tracks on September 23, 2026, after its driver attempted to cross the railway gate at Thazhe Chovva in Kannur while the barrier was being lowered. A major accident was narrowly avoided.

Drones and surveillance cameras

Despite the RPF conducting 174 public awareness programmes this year, accidents and violations at railway gates continue. As many as 46 level-crossing accidents have been registered this year.

Most incidents occurred when motorists in long queues on roads attempted to cross the tracks carelessly, disrupting both road and train services.

When a vehicle hits and damages a railway gate, the crossing may have to be closed for repairs, causing further disruption to traffic.

In response to the incidents, surveillance cameras have been installed at select level crossings. Drone-based monitoring has also been introduced during peak traffic hours to keep an eye on violations.