New Delhi: Despite its claim of upgrading
safety apparatus and passenger amenities, a Parliamentary
Standing Committee has pulled up the Railways for failing to
do so.
Taking note of the fact that there has been a delay in
manning of unmanned level crossings, the Standing Committee on
Railways said the organisation has not taken "any corrective"
measures, such as creation of posts of gate keepers and
finalising the recruitment of gangmen "expeditiously".
The committee with T R Baalu as its chairman, hoped
that manning of the gates and construction of road under
bridge and road over bridge is expedited within a fixed time
frame.
It further expressed "surprise" over the delay in
identifying stations where minimum essential amenities as per
laid down norms are not available, despite the lapse of two
years of the current five year plan, and desired that Railways
will do so during the plan period.
About extending railway connectivity in underdeveloped
and tribal areas, the committee recommended surveys be carried
out for developing rail infrastructure in these places and
"giving priority in allocation of funds for hilly, tribal
and socially backward areas."
-PTI
First Published: Friday, December 04, 2009, 00:29