CAG finds holes in railways safety plan

Incomplete safety works at level crossings, under utilisation of safety fund, old locomotives and lack of safety drives are affecting railways safety prospects, reveals the latest CAG report.

The report has also found that there were large number of vacancies in respect of safety category posts, thereby posing a safety risk in railway operations.

The CAG report, ending March 2009 and tabled in Parliament, has found huge gaps between railways' commitment and execution of safety related projects including the upgradation and modernisation of training centres meant to increase the competence level of maintenance staff.

"Railways have not been able to fulfil its target envisaged under Corporate Safety Plan (CSP). It leaves a lot to be desired," Narendra Singh, Deputy CAG told reporters.

Indian railways formulated a Corporate Safety Plan in August 2003, for ten years. This envisaged a safety action plan directed towards continuous reduction in risk level to its customers, implementation of suggested system reforms imbibing better safety culture, enhancement of asset reliability and other safety related aspects. CSP proposed replacement of over-aged locomotives every year.

However, CAG observed that out of the 4,163 broad gauge diesel locomotives on line, 223 were still over-aged. The life span of a locomotive is 25 years. If a loco is still in operation beyond 25 years then it falls in the over-aged category. Asked what was railways' response to over-aged locos, Singh said, "They (railways) considered those over-aged locos still to be safe."

CSP envisaged multi-pronged strategy to curb accidents at level crossings and allocated funds for road safety works.

The Comptroller and Auditor General has found that out of funds allocated for undertaking road safety works including road over-bridges and road under-bridges under Railway Safety Dund, only about 50 per cent was used.

During 2003-2009, out of total allocation of Rs 4,607.33 crore (Rs 46.07 billion), railways have utilised only Rs 2,090.04 crore, leaving many of the suggested safety improvement works at level crossings incomplete.

As a strategy for reduction in accidents by introduction of certain improved technologies - it was noticed during audit that the pace of research work for introduction of new technologies was very slow. CAG has also observed that there were total 86,108 vacancies in safety category posts.