Odisha train tragedy: Rly Engineers Federation releases 11-point suggestions for enhancing safety

In the wake of Bahanaga train tragedy in Balasore district which claimed more than 290 lives, the All India Railway Engineers Federation has released 11-point suggestions for enhancing Railway safety in the country.

In its suggestion, the federation has given more emphasis to safety than punctuality.

Here are the 11 key points

• More emphasis to be given to safety than punctuality. If everything is safe, then punctuality can be achieved thereafter with no cost.
• Sufficient blocks may be allotted for maintenance of assets without any pressure to avoid possible shortcut methods.
• Outsourcing of safety works requiring specialistion to be stopped.
• Weekly rest may be ensured to Railway Engineers (SSEs & JEs) except in case of extreme emergencies.
• JE/SSEs should be barred from Trade Union activities at the earliest for discharing their duties more efficiently.
• AIREF and its  affiliated zonal associations to be taken into confidence for decision making.
• JE/SSEs to be empowered suitably through delegation of power to handle day to day maintenance works smoothly.
• To reduce overload/overstress fresh JE/SSE along with supporting staff to be recruited as per Railway Board immediately against vacant posts and as per increased assets.
• Sanctioning of leaves to JE/SSEs to be done smoothly except in case of emergencies.
• Technical qualification to be made compulsory for station masters to deal with latest technologies.
• Immediate review and implementation of recommendations of previous Safety Committees i.e. Khanna Committee, Task Force on Safety, etc.

Notably, more than 290 people were killed in the triple train accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore earlier this month.