Multi-agency probe underway on ‘tampering’ of rail tracks
Image credit X.com @ashwiniVaishnaw
Railways probing sabotage behind train derailments
By Raisina Correspondent
New Delhi, September 24: Amid spate of incidents of train derailment, multi-agency probe is underway to investigate “tampering of rail tracks”. The Ministry of Railways, the state police, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are investigating cases of “rail track tampering”. Officials said that the “the entire railway administration is in an alert mode. The priority of the government is to provide safe travel.”
The officials stated that “incident of placing gas cylinders, iron and cement poles on the railway tracks, and other impediments raised questions about passenger safety. Such incidents have come to light from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and other states”.
The Railway Ministry is very serious over cases of “tampering of the rail tracks”. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said: “The Railways along with the state government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is working to catch criminals who perpetrated train accidents.”
Also Read: Shivraj begins farmers’ outreach with poll shadow in Haryana
The entire railway administration is on alert, he added. “Strict action will be taken against those who carry out this work. Since a conspiracy cannot be ruled out in such an incident and the perpetrators of such an incident may have connections in many states, NIA has also been included in it,” he added.
The officials said that “criminals are trying to derail trains by placing goods on the tracks and playing with passenger safety”.
Railway Protection Force does the work of protecting railway properties. While the investigation of crimes under the railway area is under GRP, which comes under the state government.
“The Railway Ministry is trying to ensure the safety of the tracks along with the DGP and Chief Secretaries,” said an official. Earlier also, the Railways entrusted the responsibility of investigation to NIA.
Also Read: Modi accolades pour amid Rahul barb of ‘PM losing confidence’
There has been a spate of train mishaps in the last few months. There was also a rail mishap involving an accident in Darjeeling in North Bengal after a goods train had hit a passenger train from behind.
Besides, there have been a number of instances in which trains derailed. The Railways is also rolling out installation of anti-collision device Kavach for enhanced safety of the trains.
The Railways has also earmarked ₹1.11 lakh crore for the railway safety. The funds under the railway safety are also spent on renewal and maintenance of rail tracks.
In the past, officials have raised questions about the condition of the railway tracks. Independent experts also urge upon the Railways for strict monitoring of the railway tracks.
Join WhatsApp channel of The Raisina Hills
About The Author
