14 Dec 2020

Botswana Railways is in the process of renewing the existing Signaling and Telecommunications system at railway line level crossings. 

Botswana Railways (BR) chief executive officer Mr Leonard Makwinja said the renewal would include amongst others, the installation of boom gates. 

Responding to a question from nominated councilor, Ms Dora Modipane, the Botswana Railways CEO, said the project would assess and recommend suitable controls for all level crossings on the railway line; including Rasesa level crossing and work was anticipated to be completed and commissioned in the next three to four years.

Mr Makwinja noted that the criteria used in the selection of level crossing protection involved a function of the traffic and past records with regards to any particular level crossing.

However, he explained that the organisation was aware that there were no boom gates at Rasesa rail level crossing.

Furthermore, Mr Makwinja also said that in its endeavor to improve the level of safety along the railway line, BR had so far installed eight boom gates during the financial year 2019/2020.

He noted that the organisation was currently facing major financial challenges and would consider investments of that nature when the financial situations improved.

Alternatively, Mr Makwinja noted that if the council could raise the required capital, BR would assist with the engineering aspect of the project such as design and installation.

“We appreciate the concerns raised by the council and we therefore urge the local authorities to encourage every member of the society to always be vigilant whenever they approach the level crossings to avoid accidents,” he said. 

He said bush clearing at level crossing was done on annual basis, adding that bush clearing along the line was done as and when required following inspections.

Mr Makwinja said the Rasesa level crossing had been bush cleared.

Cllr Modipane had asked about the criteria used to install boom gates at railway crossings and also wanted to know whether the organisation was aware that Rasesa rail crossing does not have a boom gate despite high accident rates and when they intend installing a boom gate at Rasesa.

Furthermore, Ms Modipane had asked how regularly the Botswana Railways de-bushed reserves in Morwa, Pilane, Rasesa and Malotwana and if they were aware that Rasesa had not been de-bushed completely. Ends