Question : SAFETY MEASURES

(a) whether the Railways have decided that Zonal General Managers will be held responsible for safety lapses;

(b) if so, whether these Zonal General Managers will be responsible for managing Rs. 17,000 crore funds announced by the Prime Minister meant for greater responsibility for the rail managements;

(c) if so, whether an additional availability of Rs. 2,500 crore for safety works during the current financial year would further leave no room for excuses like resource crunch;

(d) whether the General Managers have also been asked to consider how the Railways could make its contribution to the funds; and

(e) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to provide safety in the railways ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS ( SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL )

(a) Each accident including serious ones are inquired into either by Railway officials or by Commission of Railway Safety, an independent body under the control of Ministry of Civil Aviation to establish causes of accidents and make recommendations. As per finding of inquiry reports whosoever is held responsible for an accident irrespective of the level is taken up.

(b) The issue of setting up of a non-lapsable safety fund as well as other related issues, are receiving attention of the Government.

(c) Additional fund likely to be made available during the current financial year will be used for ongoing safety projects and assets renewal. Since safety is a continuous and ongoing process, unless funds for renewal of assets are fully allocated financial crunch will continue.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Safety is accorded highest priority in train operation. Safety of train is ensured by adopting various methods like mechanized maintenance of track, walkie talkie communication between driver and guard, intensive training by modern methods of training and frequent inspections at various levels to check lapse on the part of staff and others.