Indian Railways To Prioritise Safety And Maintenance, Post Balasore Train Tragedy

Following the Balasore train tragedy, the Railway Ministry is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring stricter vigilance and inspection of tracks, signals and systems.

The accident has raised concerns regarding the safety of the railway network and the ministry is taking necessary measures to prevent any such incidents in the future.

A top railway official during a recent meeting with senior zonal officers emphasised that nothing can be considered a fail-safe, and complete dependence on automation is not advisable.

The official urged the officers to not let their guard down when it comes to maintenance and safety. This highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure reliability and prevent accidents.

The Balasore train accident has impacted the progress of the railways in recent months, including the launch of new Vande Bharat trains.

Officials have acknowledged this setback and are taking all necessary measures to prevent any such occurrences on the network.

In a circular issued by the Railway Board member (infrastructure), all field officials deployed for maintenance activities have been directed to focus solely on their job.

They must spend maximum time on maintenance and work sites to ensure safety and reliability. This move emphasises the importance of maintenance in preventing accidents and underscores the Railway Ministry's commitment to passenger safety.

According to a circular, senior engineers have been advised to communicate with their subordinates who possess knowledge about the assets under their control.

The goal of these discussions is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these assets so that any deficiencies can be addressed in a timely manner.

To improve safety, the circular also stipulates that a complete list of inadequacies along with target dates for compliance must be produced. Furthermore, a summary of the items needing action and the steps taken to address them will be reviewed during a weekly conference by the signal directorate, reports Times Of India.

A team composed of operating, engineering, signalling, and telecom officers will be formed to supervise progress on a daily basis until all outstanding deficiencies are resolved, according to the circular.