Safety as a Priority for Railways in Budget 2017
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Top safety priorities for Railway Budget 2017
Tracks
1. The tracks with over service life of 10 years should be checked for cracks using Non-Destructive Testing methods
2. Budgets for buying track-checking equipment should be increased
3. Manual checking of the major tracks should be replaced by an automated checking methods which could raise a warning flag as soon as something breaks
4. The railway engines should be compatible to sensors which could detect any damage of railway track ahead
5. Track replacing automatic machines should be made available in all major junctions so that they could be deployed at short notice
6. Auto signalling and lessor sensors for the orderly continuity of tracks can be mounted on every engine with auto breaking system
Trains
1. Many prestigious trains run with as much as 30 years old coaches – these must be upgraded
2. The heavy iron compartments should be replace with new steel/aluminium ones which will be less prone to accidents and breakage
3. Derailment should be addressed by defining programmed speed at various locations
using GPS systems and other technologies
4. All coaches/bogies which are over 5 years old must be sent to coach repair workshop to verify the alignment and fitness of wheels
5. Traveling on the roof of the train should be made a criminal offence
6. Anti-fog devices could be installed for guiding trains during heavy fog in winters
7. The couplers joining a bogie to another bogie should be inspected for damage everyday
Stations
1. Fencing should be done at identified stations to prevent the passengers from crossing the tracks
2. A 5 year project for levelling the platforms and bringing them up to the level of the trains should be initiated
3. Each passenger should be restricted to an allowance of 2 bags for each train journey
4. Maintenance on the stairs on the station platforms should be carried out 4 to5 times a year
5. RPF and GRP teams should be enabled with technology and made accountable and responsible for a train, platform and station
Unmanned railway crossings
1. Hooters should be installed on unmanned railway crossings which would sound an alarm 2 minutes before the train passes through
2. Unmanned crossings could be made automatic with the help of sensors
Maintenance
1. Collision Avoidance Systems should be installed in all trains
2. Speed governors shall be installed to ensure speed limitation of trains
3. Old bridges should also be repaired and made ‘train fit’
4. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification ) technology can be explored effectively as a
double standard for signal management apart from present setup
5. There is strict quality control should be imposed on material, parts and instruments purchased
6. The maintenance yards should be made better equipped to look after the coaches
7. Manual signalling should be completely replaced. more