OREANDA-NEWS. December 9, 2011. Corporate Safety Plan (2003-2013), Ministry of Railways, inter-alia suggested for modernization of Disaster Management (DM) on Indian Railways. The main focus area are faster response, better facilities and equipment, expanding resources to meet requirements in major accidents, better customer focus and training and preparedness, etc. For modernization of DM, 18 strategies have been suggested in the Corporate Safety Plan, out of these 13 have so far been implemented as on October 31, 2011 on Indian Railways. Anti-Collision Device (ACD) project was not a part of Modernization of DM strategies. However, ACD has been provided on 1736 Route Kms on Northeast Frontier Railway as a pilot project. A new ACD Version-II [now called Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)] is under development and further proliferation will take place only after successful validation and certification to acceptable performance parameters.

For implementing the strategies for modernization of DM, following measures have already been taken:

• Disaster Management Plans have been made at Corporate Level, Zonal and Divisional Level and dovetailed with State/District DM Plans.
• Tie-up with reputed private/civil hospitals.
• Provision of rescue ambulances and Collapsible coffins in each Divisional hospital.
• Taking assistance of armed forces including Air-Force for assistance whenever required during disasters.
• Provision of emergency escape route and emergency automatic lights in all coaches.
• Delegation of adequate financial powers to concerned officers for quick rescue operations.
• Minimum one 140 Tonne breakdown crane have been provided in each Broad gauge division and all Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) have been provided with Air-brake stock.

The financial implication for modernization of DM on Indian Railways as per the Corporate Safety Plan is approx. Rs. 400 crore. Figures of expenditure are available on all India basis and an amount of Rs. 100.79 crore has been spent to the end of financial year 2010-11.

Pending recommendations like manufacturing of Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains (SPARTs) amounting to Rs. 235 crore, Emergency Rail cum Road Vehicle, setting up of Railway Disaster Management Institutes etc. are long lead recommendations requiring Research & Development and policy related work they are implemented at the field level.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.