Kharge puts onus of train safety on GMs, DRMs

Putting the onus of train safety on general managers and divisional railway managers, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today called upon all zonal railways to ensure zero tolerance to accidents.
"DRMs at the divisional level and GMs at the zonal level shall be responsible for ensuring train safety in their respective areas. Safety should take priority over all other considerations. A policy of 'No loss of life' should be the motto of all railway employees," Kharge said in his message to general managers of all zonal railways.
A policy of "zero tolerance to accidents" is to be adopted at all levels and this has to be achieved through a combination of improved technological aids and high quality training to improve skills of the employees, he said.

"Safety culture is essential for any organisation to achieve good safety results. With sustained efforts in the last decade, Railways have reduced the number of mishaps and further effort is required to make Railways free of accidents," the minister said.
Observing that most of the fatalities occur in accidents at unmanned level crossings, Kharge said, "Efforts are on to eliminate all unmanned level crossings in the next few years. A strict time frame is to be followed and monitored by all zonal railways."
He also suggested for proper rest for train drivers. "Loco pilots and assistant loco pilots should be monitored and counselled, paying utmost attention to their personal issues including rest, particularly home rest," the Railway Minister said.

On the issue of large number of vacancies in safety category, Kharge said, "Filling of vacancies in the safety category posts also should be continuously monitored."
There are about one lakh vacant posts in safety category in railways.