On day of 3 derailments, Goyal takes stock of safety
After a series of derailments, including three on Thursday, Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal admitted the accidents were due to “defects” in tracks. According priority to safety, the new rail minister ordered an expedited procurement of new rails or tracks, besides eliminating unmanned level-crossings in a year.
After a series of derailments, including three on Thursday, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal admitted the accidents were due to “defects” in tracks.
The new rail minister ordered expedited procurement of new rails or tracks, besides elimination of unmanned levelcrossings in a year.
Goyal on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting on safety in train operations with Railway Board officials, where he directed staff to undertake immediate measures to address the problem of unmanned level-crossings and derailments. A detailed presentation on safety was made at the meeting.
Seven coaches of the Jabalpur-bound Shaktipunj Express jumped the rails near the Obra Dam station in Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh around 6:25 am. Around 11:45 am, the engine and power car of the RanchiDelhi Rajdhani Express derailed near Minto Bridge in Delhi. One person was injured in the second accident. Two wagons of a goods train derailed in Maharashtra later in the day.
Two major causes leading to the accidents were identified as unmanned level crossings and defects in tracks, an official statement said.
Goyal asked the Railway Board officials to ensure safety in train operations, elimination of all unmanned level crossings within a year and replacement of tracks on a priority basis.
Tracks earmarked for constructing of new lines should be diverted to places or stretches prone to accidents and where replacements are due, the statement said, adding that the procurement of new rails should be expedited on a large scale to complete construction of new lines on time.
Among other measures being taken up by the Indian Railways to prevent derailments include refurbishment of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF)-design coaches and progressive use of air springs.
A policy decision has been taken to carry out refurbishments and provide improved safety features in existing ICF design coaches, which have a residual life of more than 10 years. About 40,000 coaches will be provided with these safety features in the next five years.
To maintain constant height at variable loads, air springs are being used in secondary suspension of electric multiple unit/diesel multiple unit coaches. These springs would also be introduced in mainline and passenger coaches to enhance safety and reliability.