New Delhi: The Indian Railways has been asked to take “abundant precaution” in the wake of the death of 16 migrant workers who were run over by a goods train Friday morning in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
In a letter sent Friday and addressed to the Railway Board chairman, Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) Shailesh Kumar Pathak said: “As an abundant precaution, it is essential that all Railway personnel connected with train operation, maintenance and patrolling activities should be cautioned to immediately communicate any such occurrence of persons walking along the track, if noticed by them, to the nearest station so that necessary action like caution order to all passing trains in accordance with G.R. (General Rules) 4.09 may be taken.”
The letter, sent Friday, also stated that such action by railway personnel is already mandated under Rule 2.05, Rule 2.11 and Rule 6.07 of the General Rules, 1976.
These rules mandate that every railway servant will ensure the safety of the public around the railway premises, and alert all necessary authorities in case of any possibility of an untoward incident.
In his letter, Pathak also said: “Apparently, all the affected persons had gathered along the track under the impression that the train services have been suspended due to Covid-19 lockdown. Furthermore, a false sense of security may have come into their minds about there being no trains on run whereas freight, parcel specials have been running from before and now migrant specials have also started plying.”
Pathak has enjoined the Railway Board to issue suitable instructions to all zonal railways to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
A senior railways officer said the commissioner’s advice was significant and should be followed. “The advice of CCRS can’t be ignored. It’s almost mandatory,” he said, adding, “..this is a good piece of advice to caution all those walking on or crossing the tracks as there are increased number of freight trains running and at greater average speed.”
Also read: Eager, relieved faces at New Delhi railway station as 1,200 migrants board train to MP
Railways in controversy
The deaths of the 16 migrants was the second time the Indian Railways found itself in the midst of controversy this week.
The central government’s decision to make stranded migrants pay for their own tickets on special trains arranged to take them to their home states triggered a massive controversy, and even snowballed into a political issue, with the Congress offering to pay for their travel instead.
While the central government and the BJP sought to put an end to the controversy by stating that the railway ministry is bearing 85 per cent of the travel costs, and states are paying the remaining 15 per cent, railway ministry officials told ThePrint earlier this week that there is no official communication stating this, or explaining the break-up of costs.
The Modi government Tuesday even declined to give the Supreme Court the break-up of the share of ticket fares.
Also read: Punjab IAS officer says Railways not paying 85% of migrants fare, state footing entire bill
As Regards to Indian Railways total mismanagement in Administration,train operations,no regular communication,Reservation systems completely collapsed in post lockdown 2.0 when train operations suspended till till 3 rd May why Advance Reservations on web site’s? & window booking when public was anticipating train operations suspension will continue why Railways had not thought on this in much earlier? The passengers as on date struggling back to get refunds as on date? though trains cancelled deductions in refunds instead full refunds? Zonal GM,s & DRM,s miserably failed.On other hands Railways claims preventive maintenance on rail track continuously in progress,petrolling day & night,Gangmens,PWI Inspectors,contractors on work to get prepared for train services when it opens if this is a case why Migrants labours were on track in Auragabad in Nanded Division in SCR trapped under Railways by loosing lives? very shameful incidents took place.After Bandra mass gathering Railways have not learnt lessons.Such incidents continued at regular intervals,They never took these seriously took with easy approach.When Migrants train services partially on demand started fair confusion.In sensitative places where migrants standed trains R very less in numbers,As regards parcel trains,Goods statics published on Twitter,media,for essential items,Medical in lockdown 2 & 3 still medicine shortages because of prioritization road air courier under suspension medicines in Pradhan Mantri jan not easily available as path not getting,No proper coordination in chain Rail board,Zonal rails,Zonal division than colorful Twitter msgs with repetitions by them in reality at ground levels very poor piece of show,It seems in Railways Events management than Actual results,value additions? Railways hv become on paper professional but in practice big 0,Many Infrastructure,safety rail bridges,tunnels works r on third parties than original scope of approved contractors who r ensuring right Quality,as demand is increasing of supplies Are they meeting safety standards with proper Inspections,fixtures,in functionality as same r off loaded by Railways accross nation by hurried manner production management&completions Railway commissioner of safety should take preventive precautionary steps at initial stages,than final Rail board & chairman 2b very vigilante than relying on Zonal officials,seamless organizations work concept is much needed.Due to suspension of passenger traffic,local being low fares & enhanced Goods & parcel trafficking railways succeeded by lowering down losses & breakeven,operating cost deficiencies in last 2 months as smooth goods traffic hurdle free,Still class 1,2,3,4 rail employees huge gaps in efficient working culture which is much needed Rail Chairman Mr.Vinod Kumar who had managed very nicely in GM capicity in SCR on all fronts,but Auragabad mishaps on rail track just shocking & can’t digestible,some what failure of Zonal & divisional Administration especially safety & engineering dept as far as petrolling & safeguarding is concern in lockdown an eye opener with one point lesson with why Analysis.
What’s the cost of one enquiry, when there is northing remaing to enquire?
This is injustice for the poor people