Balasore train mishap: Railway body recommends safety norms upgrade

New Delhi: An internal railways body, tasked to look into the June 2 Balasore train accident, has recommended further upgradation of safety parameters.

In this regard, the commissioner of railway safety or CRS has suggested a 14-point actionable agenda to prevent such mishaps.

Officials familiar with the report told ET that the body has recommended further strengthening of the Signalling & Technology infrastructure of the entire network of the Railways. It has also suggested more rigorous checks when repair and overhaul of such equipment is undertaken. "A competency certificate needs to be issued after practical training for carrying out signalling modification work," the report said.


The body has also stressed on the need to task signalling modification work only to railway staff in possession of such a competency certificate. It also suggested undertaking a safety drive for strengthening the signalling systems.

The CRS has flagged lapses by the S&T department that led to the tragedy, which claimed 290 lives. The report was submitted to the ministry in last week of June.