(a) whether it is a fact that the Southern Railway, Chennai had submitted a proposal to the Railway Board to create 1503 new posts from Inspector to constable levels in the Railway Protection Force as per the recommendations of a study conducted by Railways in the wake of the Soumya tragedy to meet the existing safety norms; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Railways in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b): No, Madam. No proposal has been received from Southern Railway, Chennai for creation of posts as per the recommendation of study conducted by Railways in the wake of the Soumya tragedy to meet the existing safety norms. However, a proposal for creation of 1503 additional posts of Railway Protection Force personnel for Palghat and Trivandrum Divisions of Southern Railway was received in Railway Board in the year 2010. As the proposal was not as per existing norms, the same was returned to Southern Railway.