Fire, smoke detection system on trial in Rajdhani Exp: Kharge

New Delhi: A comprehensive fire and smoke  detection system is on trial in Rajdhani Express and it will be extended to all major trains along with induction of indigenously developed anti-collision device, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said today. [caption id=“attachment_1386295” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Rajdhani Express. AFP image[/caption] Expressing “deep” concern over recent accidents, he said in his Interim Budget speech that “safety is never compromised” on the system and several measures have been and are being taken for its further strengthening. Even though some of these accidents were caused due to inadvertent acts of negligence on the part of passengers, the Railways have initiated action to ensure that such accidents are averted at all costs and loss of lives eliminated, he said. In this regard, he said a comprehensive fire and smoke detection system is on trial on two rakes of Rajdhani Express trains and based on the success of these trials, this will be extended to all major trains. Besides, use of fire retardant materials inside coaches, multi-tier protection for electric circuits and provision of portable fire extinguishers in AC coaches are being initiated, he said. Kharge said there were plans for induction of indigenously developed train collision avoidance system over Indian Railways after successful completion of trial runs and provision of improved safety system with audio-visual warnings to road users about approaching trains. Drawing his attention to elimination of unmanned level  crossings, which are witness to several mishaps, he said 5,400 such unmanned level crossing were eliminated during the last five years. He spoke of providing ‘vigilance control device’ in all electric and diesel locomotives to monitor and judge the alertness of drivers to ensure safety of trains. PTI