Rail minister Suresh Prabhu seeks help from Japan and South Korea to improve rail safety

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the recent train accidents, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has reached out to his counterparts in South Korea and Japan to improve rail safety in India. The minister held telephonic discussions with representatives of both nations and requested them to provide technological assistance in making India’s railway network safer.

“The minister requested experts from Japan and Korean to visit India and to recommend suitable technological solutions. A cooperation agreement was signed earlier between the RTRI (Railway Technological Research Institute of Japan) and RDSO and with Korean Rail Research Institute for cooperation in the field of railway safety,” a statement from rail ministry said.

Prabhu also held interacted with eminent scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar, who gave a report on the safety of Indian railways a few years ago.


“The minister also requested Vinod Rai, retired CAG to help in revamping the safety organization structure and also systemic improvements which are needed to improve the safety performance,” the statement said.

Prabhu has directed that all railway installations should be inspected over the next one week to identify and rectify the shortcomings.