Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Unified Train Operation Safety Norm
New Delhi: On Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a unified train operation safety norm, specifically addressing signal failure, will be issued within the next 10 days. This new standard will apply to all railway zones across the country.
In a conversation with media personnel, Minister Vaishnaw explained that the Ministry of Railways initiated the process of bringing uniformity to the subsidiary rules (SR) of all 17 railway zones. This decision follows a critical investigation report by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), which highlighted contradictions in these norms. The report was part of the investigation into the Kanchanjunga train accident, which occurred on June 17.
The tragic accident involved a goods train colliding with the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express, resulting in the loss of 10 lives, including the loco pilot of the goods train. The incident took place in West Bengal and underscored the urgent need for consistent safety protocols across all railway zones.
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of the new unified safety norms in preventing such accidents in the future. He stated, “The CRS report flagged significant contradictions in the existing norms across various railway zones. To ensure the safety of passengers and railway staff, it is crucial to have a standardized set of rules that all zones must follow.”
The upcoming safety norm will aim to eliminate discrepancies and enhance the overall safety of train operations, particularly in situations involving signal failures. The Ministry’s swift action in addressing the CRS’s recommendations reflects its commitment to improving railway safety standards and preventing future tragedies.
The issuance of these unified norms marks a significant step towards a safer and more reliable railway network in India. The railway authorities hope that this initiative will restore public confidence in the safety of train travel and ensure the well-being of passengers and staff alike.
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