According the topmost priority to safety, new railway minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday held meetings with Railway Board officials and gave directions to undertake immediate measures to address the problem of unmanned level crossings and derailments. Goyal has taken charge of the railway ministry at a time when derailments are making headlines every day with three derailments being reported on Thursday. During the meeting, wherein a comprehensive presentation on safety was made, Goyal “emphasised safety is paramount and there cannot and should not be any compromise on this front”, said a railway statement.
During the discussions, the two major causes leading to accidents were identified as unmanned level crossings and derailments due to defects in tracks, and measures to reduce mishaps from both these causes are to be given special focus.
While all unmanned level crossings will be aimed to be eliminated in a year’s time, track replacement and renewal will be given priority, and stretches which are prone to accidents and replacement is due will get priority supply of tracks. The railways will expedite procurement of new rails on a large scale with a view to complete construction of new lines in time. In addition, manufacturing of conventional ICF design coaches will be stopped forthwith and new design LHB coaches only will be manufactured.