New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed officials to address railway safety, technical and maintenance deficiencies on September 3. He issued the directions during a detailed review meeting at Rail Bhawan.
The meeting included the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Board. Railway Board members, zonal General Managers, Director Generals and Divisional Railway Managers also attended.
Vaishnaw directed officials to address signalling-related technical deficiencies in mission mode. He also called for timely maintenance and replacement of Overhead Equipment components that had completed their prescribed service life.
The minister also reviewed workshop maintenance. He stressed better upkeep of coaches, especially electrical circuits and wiring linked to fire safety.
In addition, he directed officials to improve the maintenance of couplers and wheels fitted to coaches and wagons. These measures formed part of the wider railway safety review.
For tracks, the minister stressed proper maintenance of point machines, turnouts and fasteners. He also directed officials to ensure that missing fasteners were installed without delay.
Railway safety review targets poor-quality supplies
The meeting called for strict action against suppliers responsible for poor-quality materials. The directive covered materials used in Signalling and Telecommunication, OHE, tracks, coaches and wagons.
Officials were asked to take stringent action whenever they found deficiencies in material quality. Moreover, the minister directed authorities to permanently blacklist suppliers involved in deliberate negligence.
Vaishnaw also asked railway officers to coordinate with district and state administrations. They must prepare in advance for locations that could see sudden passenger crowds during festivals or fairs.
Such preparations should ensure that necessary facilities reach crowded locations on time. The directions aimed to strengthen railway safety while improving maintenance and passenger management.
