Kaya Kalp decides to develop plan to reduce train mishaps

The Ratan Tata-headed Kaya Kalp committee, set up to transform the state-run rail network, today decided to develop an action plan to reduce the recurring train mishaps, amid concerns over human errors and large-scale vacancies of safety-related posts.
The committee, while examining the data on type of accidents and causes, decided to meet again on November 6 to "work towards developing an action plan in this regard", a committee member said.
Besides taking into account the rolling stocks in operations, the panel is also understood to have examined the recruitment process, given that over 1.5 lakh safety-related posts were vacant at present.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has earlier emphasised on a 'zero accident mission' with a definite time frame.
The meeting was the third in the series. The first Kaya Kalp meeting was held in May in which Tata had suggested an incentive-driven mechanism for employees resolving problems faced by the public transporter through innovative ideas.
The second one on August 25 examined the performance and social responsibility of the public transporter.
Kaya Kalp, the new innovative council of Railways, had been set up by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement, betterment and transformation of the state-run rail network.

Besides two senior railway officials, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen general secretary M Raghavaiah and All India Railwaymen's Federation general secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra are members of the Kaya Kalp council.