Action plan to prevent train accidents due to fractured rail

The Railway Ministry has drawn up an action plan to prevent mishaps like the Gorakhdham Express accident on May 26 which resulted from fractured rail.
The accident which claimed about 26 lives and injured several others was caused due to fractured rails, according to a preliminary report.
Accidents due to fractured rails at regular intervals have caused a serious concern to the national transporter.
At a safety meeting chaired by Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda, Railways has decided to strengthen the mechanised maintenance of track and increase the frequency of safety inspection to address the problem.
Gowda instructed officials to work on a foolproof plan to ensure zero tolerance on passenger fatalities at the meeting. The Railways Safety Directorate gave a detailed presentation about the prevailing system and steps initiated to prevent mishaps.

Noting that accidents are happening at regular interval due to fractured rail, the minister has directed the Railway Board to come up with a concrete action plan to prevent such cases, said a senior Railway Ministry official, who attended the safety meeting after the recent accident.

"Safety is one of the important factors that needs to be taken care of by the Railway Ministry," Gowda had said shortly after assuming office.
According to the plan, while inspection patrolling between stations have to be strengthened to detect problem, de-stressing exercise for tracks will be undertaken frequently to reduce the chances of rail fracture.

It was also decided to pay more attention on track laying method to ensure rails are laid on a specified temperature, the official said.
A detailed plan with fund estimate will be submitted to Gowda shortly for further action, the official said.