Representational image.
ISLAMABAD: The railways ministry on Wednesday directed the chief operating superintendents of safety to submit a monthly report on the safety of passengers and train operations.
The directive was issued during a meeting presided over by Secretary/Chairman of Railways Habibur Rehman Gilani. It was called to review the existing railways system and chalk out plans for overcoming train accidents.
“No compromise will be made on passengers and train operations safety,” Gilani was quoted as saying in an official statement.
Safety of passengers and trains is the responsibility of all department employees, he added, while directing the chief operating superintendents of safety to send the report to the railways ministry after the approval of the CEO.
The report must include a list of illegal crossings by division and section-wise for which all divisional superintendents should locate and provide a list through geo-mapping where they have made a path under the track or erected a fence or a cement wall.
Patrols, permanent road inspectors, and police should be deployed to check unsafe and well-known places for vehicles to pass over the track.
“If an accident occurs at an illegal location, the AEN and DSP of that section will be responsible. It will be the responsibility of the railway police to register an FIR and take legal action against the criminal negligence of the railway employees,” it reads.
It was highlighted that illegal lanes above the track must be eliminated. Moreover, warning boards should be erected along the road, the roads crossing and the level crossing should be repaired, the personnel deployed at the level crossing should be trained and monitored and their medical and physical tests should be ensured.
Automated public warning system (flashing bell) should be installed at all level crossings in stages and telephone etc should be ensured for communication at busy manned level crossings.
“Relevant employees, supervisors and officers will be responsible in case of an accident at an illegal crossing and level crossing,” the statement reads, “all divisional superintendents will check the gates at manned level crossings to ensure they are functioning properly as per the railway manual.”
In addition, according to the railway rules, all hand signals lit by kerosene would be converted to LED lights.
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