Nine train accidents occur during the last two years

Nine train accidents occur during the last two years.

Around nine major accidents of passenger and goods trains have occurred on Pakistan Railways’ entire network across the country in the last two years.

Nine train accidents occur

Out of the total nine mishaps, five accidents had occurred in 2019 and four accidents took place in 2020, an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

In these accidents, around 153 persons died 179 sustained injuries while the financial damage incurred on the Pakistan Railways was Rs57.708 million.

In order to control the accidents, several steps have also been taken including up-gradation of unmanned and vulnerable railway level crossings across the country in collaboration with respective provincial governments, he said.

He said road surface of all level crossings was being improved together with improved warning boards and provision of reliable communication (VHF radio) between ground staff and locomotives crew.

The Directorate of Public Relations has produced video messages for circulations over social media to inform the public about the dangers associated with railway crossings, he said.

CPEC related matters

He said that all level crossings on Main Line-I (Karachi to Peshawar) would be eliminated by providing under passes and flyovers under China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to him, PR is also arranging  timely refresher courses and safety seminars to enhance the professional knowledge of the staff.

Besides, they are also making progress on auto train protection system to minimize such accidents.

That system applies brake automatically if the divers of train fail to respond red signal.

Furthermore, he said of holding a professional knowledge testing schedule after every six months for drivers.

They would test working of auto block signaling for drivers; particularly of Multan, Lahore Sukkur, and Karachi divisions should be tested in working of auto block signaling.

Then, the Divisional Signal Engineer and Divisional Mechanical Engineer would issue joint certificate of this effect.

Officials further said it certify competency of driver especially regarding the knowledge of auto block signaling.

Safety standards

The certificate would remain in possession of the drivers, he informed.

He said that regular inspections in accordance with prescribed standards and quota were conducted by the officers and officials of Pakistan Railways to maintain safety standards.

This process was being constantly monitored at appropriate levels.

Furthermore, the official said the office of the Chief Commercial Manager has issued instructions regarding the safety of passengers and to streamline the procedures for the safe travelling of special groups.

The instructions have been circulated to all operating divisions and to Railway Police.

Specially, PR directed them for adopting special precautionary measures.

Moreover, the PR asked them to ensure checking of luggage and passengers through ‘walk through gates’ and scanners.

Besides, the railways high ups called for foiling transportation of dangerous, explosive and inflammable articles.

GTV