RAILWAYS ACCEPT RECOMMENDATIONS OF HIGH
LEVEL COMMITTEE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT
The Ministry of
Railways has accepted the recommendations of the recently constituted
High Level Committee to Review the Disaster Management System
over Indian railways. The Committee has made more than 100 recommendations
identifying the technological and managerial inputs to speed up
the pace of rescue and relief operations. The financial implications
of implementing these recommendations will be around Rs.375 crores.
The recommendations
are focused on faster response, better facilities, equipment and
expanding resources to meet requirements in major accidents. It
includes institutionalising standing arrangement with Armed Forces
for ensuring quicker rescue and relief operations and entering
into Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with state governments
for mutual cooperation in case of disasters. Other major recommendations
include introduction of three coach high speed self-propelled
accident relief train for quicker initial response, enhancing
maximum permissible speed of accident relief trains and vans,
better communication facilities with satellite phones and mobile
exchanges and empowering field units to tackle effectively post
disaster situation.
