Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Southern Railway tightens safety measures

By S. Vydhianathan

CHENNAI May 25. The Southern Railway has tightened its safety measures in trains in the wake of the recent fire mishap on board the Mumbai-Amrithsar Frontier Mail which claimed 25 lives.

Frequent checks are being made in long distance trains by ticket-checking staff and Railway Protection Force personnel to detect whether passengers carry any inflammable material. Regular announcements are being made in major stations appealing to passengers not to carry any such material. Pamphlets and handbills, highlighting the need for adopting safety measures, are being distributed to passengers. Posters have been pasted inside trains against carrying of inflammable materials.

At Chennai Central, the RPF personnel launched a 10-day awareness campaign for passengers against carrying kerosene, petrol, crackers and stoves. They also conducted special checks in major trains.

But the response from the passengers is not encouraging, according to officials. Despite the repeated announcements and distribution of pamphlets, stressing the necessity to avoid carrying of inflammable materials while travelling, passengers continue to ignore them unaware of its repercussions. Smoking by passengers and cooking with lighted stoves, especially by army personnel, are major nuisances in long distance trains. In a majority of cases, passengers have no other alternative except to suffer in silence.

Though there is a ban on smoking, it is quite common among passengers, especially in EMUs. Officials say the ``most unfortunate thing'' is that railway employees themselves violate the ban and smoke much to the discomfort of fellow passengers.

Protest by non-smokers seldom has any impact and there had been instances when objections had led to a free-for-all.

Ticket-checking personnel are generally reluctant to pull up the `erring passengers'. Instead of restraining the smokers, they request non-smokers not to make it an issue but bear with it. A few years ago, a ban was imposed on sale of cigarettes by stalls in railway stations.

But it has little impact as many smokers carry their brand of cigarettes during the journey.

Another major hazard is mini LPG cylinders, used by hawkers for preparing tea and coffee in long distance trains. Even army personnel cook in trains. RPF personnel generally look the other way as they do not want to get into any argument with jawans.

In fact, preliminary enquiry into the recent fire mishap in the Frontier Mail revealed that fire from a lighted stove caused the accident.

However, sources in the Southern Railway deny laxity in taking action against the violators. Not only cases were registered against smokers in trains, but heavy fines were imposed on them. But many passengers say unless stringent action is taken against these violators, it is difficult to prevent fire accidents in trains.

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