High Level Safety Review Committee Presents its Report to Minister of Railways

High Level Safety Review Committee Presents its Report to Minister of Railways

Safety Accorded Highest Priority; Dinesh Trivedi

High Level Safety Review Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Railways under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil Kakodkar, presented its report to the Minister of Railways, Shri Dinesh Trivedi, at a function, here today. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Shri Trivedi complemented all members of the Committee especially Dr Kakodkar for giving their time and expertise in preparing the report. Shri Trivedi said passengers’ safety is given highest priority by the Indian Railways. The committee comprising of eminent persons/experts in technical and high end technology related fields with experience and expertise in a managing innovation in technology and change was constituted in September 2011 to provide a valuable independent outsiders’ view in respect of the system and protocols. Present on the occasion among others were Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal, Board Members and three members of the new committee.

The Committee, headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, was assisted by Dr. N. Vedachalam of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Thiruvananthapuram, Prof. Sanjay Dhande, Director IIT Kanpur and Sh. G.P. Srivastava Director E&I Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Shri E. Sreedharan, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation acted as the Advisor to the Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kakodkar said that though data of consequential train accident over the years on has been showing declining trend despite phenomenal growth of traffic, safety on Indian Railways remains to be a mater of serious concern. He said that while preparing this Report, the Committee held interactions and meetings with Divisions, Zones, Railway Board, RDSO, Commissioner of Railway Safety, some retired railway officials and representatives of recognized staff federations. He said that the Committee members also visited some of the Zonal Railways for having the first hand experience of the field conditions and also invited suggestions for general public through Railways’ official website. He said that a total of 53 suggestions were received from Railway personnel and general public which have been appropriately considered by the Committee. Dr. Kakodkar said that in the process, the Committee noted that Railway officials at all levels are dedicated, committed and have deep passion to work.

A presentation was made on the occasion by Committee. Some of the major recommendations of this Report are as follow:
· Implementation of Advance Signalling System through Special Purpose Vehicle and an expert group for technical issue with an estimated cost of Rs. 20,000 crore for 19000 route kilometers on trunk route.
· Elimination of All Level Crossings (manned and unmanned both) with an estimated coast of Rs. 50,000 crore over five years.
· All new coaches to be only of LHB design which are much safer for present speeds and train lengths, with a total cost of Rs. 10,000 crore over five years.
· Maintenance of safety related infrastructural and other items with total cost of Rs. 20000 crore.
· The total financial implication over the five year period would be Rs 100,000 crore.
· The committee also suggested mode of funding, which includes safety cess on passengers, deferred dividend, road cess, matching grant by the Centre.
The Report of the High Level Safety Committee is available on Indian Railways’ official website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in