New Delhi, Aug 12: Union Government on Wednesday said that Indian Railways have taken several measures to safeguard lives of passengers and damage to railway property.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
The Railway Minister said that regular drives are conducted against anti-social elements like drunkard, mischievous elements etc. in the effected section/black spots and the apprehended persons are prosecuted under legal provisions of law.
The train escorting parties have been sensitized to remain more vigilant in the vulnerable sections/spots, where incidents of vandalizing on trains are frequently reported.
Various awareness programme including OPERATION SATHI are conducted regularly in inhabited areas adjacent to Railway track to sensitize people towards the menace of stone pelting and its consequences.
Detailed guidelines have been issued regarding action to be taken to control incidents of stone pelting on moving trains. Analysis of these incidents followed by substantive action is taken to curb these incidents.
Regular co-ordination with GRP/Local Police is maintained by RPF, sharing the critical information to control the menace of pelting of stones on trains.
State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been constituted for all State Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police Commissioner of States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.
Safety of train operations is accorded top priority on Indian Railways (IR). Pedestrian subways are also being provided with safety fencing in order to facilitate crossing of railway alignment by cattle, pedestrians and smaller vehicles.
Union Minister for Railways continued that about 19,700 km of fencing has been provided along the railway tracks in Indian Railways which includes sections situated in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, so far.
