Representational Image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Chennai: The railways has found that the recurring train accidents are caused by lack of proper repair works and the appointment of contract labourers who have not received enough training. Within the last one and a half month, seven incidents of derailments were reported in India including two in Kerala.
The staff of the safety department alleged that they are not getting adequate time for carrying out maintenance works. The railways have been establishing new tracks and sleepers by replacing the old ones and improving the signal systems all over the nation. However, the railways cannot grant sufficient time for maintenance works. If more time is allotted, it would affect the cancellation or delay of train services.
When the train services were halted during the lockdown, the maintenance works were conducted fastly. But the staff have no way to continue the same with the restoration of the express and passenger train services. The lack of training for the staff who are employed on a contract basis and the delay in appointments following the retirement of the existing employees add to the impediments.
A goods train from Visakhapatnam loaded with cement was derailed on the third track of Aluva station at 10.30 pm on January 27. Following this, 11 trains via this route were cancelled. When a train from Mangaluru to Ernakulam was derailed on Friday afternoon, it affected the movement of trains in either direction at Puthukkad.
Ernakulam- Shoranur route records the busiest rail route in Kerala and the railways recommended that a third track is inevitable here. However, railways have not allotted enough funds for the construction of a third track. Only Rs 75 lakhs have been granted for this route in the last budget and even the survey cannot be completed by this.
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