Indian Railways today came in for sharp criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for under-utilisation of the funds allocated for road safety works, use of old locomotives on tracks and lack of safety drives.
The CAG report, ending March 2009 and tabled in Parliament today, has found huge gaps between the railways’ commitment and execution of safety-related projects including the upgrade and modernisation of training centres meant to increase the competence level of maintenance staff. Additionally, there are over 86,108 vacancies in safety category posts, which is posing a safety risk in railway operations.
“Indian Railways has not been able to fulfil its target envisaged under the Corporate Safety Plan (CSP). It leaves a lot to be desired,” said deputy CAG Narendra Singh.
The audit, carried out by the CAG on the performance of the railways in the first phase of CSP between 2003 and 2008, show that more than 50 per cent of the Rs 4,600 crore allocated for road safety works have remained unutilised.
Besides, questions have been raised about overloading wagons operated on the network. The CAG report states that in the period under consideration 20 per cent of wagons run on the railways were overloaded and “those wagons were allowed to run even after detection of overload, endangering track condition”.
Issues have also been raised regarding the use of old locomotives. CSP proposed the replacement of over-aged locomotives every year. Out of 4,163 broad gauge diesel locomotives, 223 were still outdated at the end of March 2009.
The CAG has further criticised the Research Design and Standards Organisation for the slow pace of work in introducing new technologies. CSP had envisaged strategies for reduction in accidents by introduction of improved technologies.
The railways formulated a Corporate Safety Plan valued at Rs 31,835 crore 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.
