The Hindu : Railways to introduce anti-collision devices

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

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Railways to introduce anti-collision devices

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI APRIL 1. The "Anti-Collision Device'' is the latest technology on the safety front which Northern Railway would be introducing on all its major routes, besides upgrading signaling installations and repairing "distressed'' bridges.

According to the Northern Railway General Manager, R.K. Singh, after successful field trials for the satellite-based <243>device conducted on Jallandhar-Amritsar section, the new device would enhance security on 1,800 route km. while survey was on in 1,641 km route km.

He also announced that signaling installations at 44 stations were also being upgraded under the Special Railway Safety Fund and real progress would be achieved in the year 2003- 4 as preparatory works were now underway.

Informing that a new bridge has been sanctioned over river Yamuna which would be completed by mid-2006, Mr. Singh said to check cases of sabotage, the help of State Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force besides railway staff and sniffer dogs for track monitoring and bridge patrolling will be taken.

Similarly, public interface points like railway stations, parcel depots and reservation centres were being kept under the watch and close circuit television (CCTV)-based surveillance had been also been introduced at a number of sensitive locations, informed Mr. Singh.

Informing that maximum number of accidents take place at unmanned level crossing which was a matter of deep concern, Mr. Singh said Northern Railway would undertake work on 29 such gates for road over or under bridges on cost sharing basis with the State governments concerned.

Besides, massive publicity drive to educate road users was being carried out where public help was also being taken, he added.

Stating that a record 850 kms. of railway track was renewed this year, Mr. Singh said while the number of derailments had come down, it were accidents at level crossings, where 48 people died, on which more attention was being paid.

From April 2002 to February 2003, there were 59 deaths out of which 11 deaths occurred in the Shramjeevi Express derailment which was a case of sabotage, he added.

He also informed that out of the 56 "distressed'' bridges identified in April last year, 50 have already been attended this year while the work on the remaining would be completed by the year 2005.

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