Railway minister ensures safety measures for Vande Bharat Trains

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that safety measures for Vande Bharat trains include the implementation of safety fencing at vulnerable locations for speeds between 110 kmph and 130 kmph. Additionally, for speeds exceeding 130 kmph, safety fencing is mandated along the entire track. In response to BJP MP Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi's query about ensuring track safety given the high speed of Vande Bharat trains, the minister emphasised the Indian Railways' commitment to prioritising safety. Vaishnaw outlined the established system for track inspection, maintenance, and repair, encompassing measures such as modern track structures, railway track patrolling, ultrasonic flaw detection testing for rail integrity, and mechanised track maintenance. He underscored that safety fencing is a minimum standard, required at vulnerable locations for speeds above 110 kmph to 130 kmph and along the entire track for speeds exceeding 130 kmph. Responding to Lodhi's inquiry about potential obstructions on railway tracks by anti-social elements, Vaishnaw disclosed that, up to November 2023, four incidents of obstruction were reported. These incidents involved placing foreign objects on railway tracks, and appropriate legal action has been taken against the individuals responsible. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), in coordination with GRP/district police and civil administration, actively initiates measures to ensure the safe operation of trains. In addressing another question, the minister explained that the introduction of new train services and the provision of stoppages for existing services, including Vande Bharat services, are on-going processes. These decisions are contingent upon factors such as traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.