New Delhi, Aug 01: The government today denied in the Rajya Sabha that it has failed to provide comprehensive safety to the railway passengers saying as a result of concerted efforts the number of consequential train accidents have come down from 473 in 2000-01 to 351 in 2002-03. This downward trend has continued in the current year as well, with 85 (provisional) consequential train accidents taking place during the period April-June 2003, as compared to 103 in the same period last year, the Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatraya said in a written reply.

Railtel: A memorandum of understanding have been signed between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Railtel Corporation of India to explore new business opportunities to take advantage of the changing scenario in the country in telecommunication field, Dattatraya said. Zone: On the question of creation of new zones, he said the railway reforms committee (1984) has recommended creation of four new zones, based on the criteria of workload, accessibility, geographical sprawl and pattern of traffic flows and other administrative and operational requirements, so as to provide relief to the heavily worked zones and improve their efficiency.

To another question, he said representations have been received from various forums, including one from Kerala minister of transport, for the creation of a new zone exclusively for the state.

Bureau Report