"Railways has set a goal to convert all unmanned railway crossings into manned by 2015-16," Muniyappa told mediapersons here.

"There are about 14,000 unmanned railway crossings across the country. We have decided to work for safety of railway and its passengers," Muniyappa said.

Eight people, including two girls, were killed and dozens injured Wednesday when a train rammed into an engineering college bus at a manned level crossing in Siwan district.

The accident occurred at Chap Dhala railway crossing near Siwan railway station when the Howrah-Gorakhpur Bagh Express train rammed into the bus carrying over 25 students. The engine of the train derailed after the accident.

The incident sparked protests as hundreds of local residents torched several bogies of the train and damaged railway property.