Railway officers told to camp at train accident sites to expedite probe
The Indian Railway Board has mandated that senior officers must camp at train accident sites to ensure investigations are completed within the required seven-day window. This directive aims to reduce administrative delays and shift the focus of inquiries from merely assigning blame to understanding the root causes of accidents.
Why it matters
Improving the efficiency and depth of accident investigations is vital for enhancing railway safety and preventing future operational failures.
Senior railway officers probing train accidents have been directed to camp at accident sites to expedite investigations and ensure that inquiry reports are completed within the prescribed time frame.
According to railway sources, a safety review of accident investigations conducted by the Railway Board found that several accident inquiries and related departmental proceedings had not been finalised within the stipulated deadlines.
The review pointed to delays in constituting inquiry committees and the diversion of officers assigned to the investigations for other official duties as the primary reasons for prolonged inquiries.
To facilitate the timely completion of investigations without compromising the quality of inquiry, the Railway Board has instructed that, immediately after an accident, a suitable location in the vicinity of the accident site be identified exclusively for use by the Inquiry Committee.
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