Kolkata, Oct 7 (IANS) State-of-the-art technologies would be installed in the Indian Railways within the next one or two years to prevent accidents and ‘there will be no railway accidents in the future’, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee assured Thursday.
‘We will install an automatic signalling system, anti-collision devices and train protection and warning system in all railways within next one-two years to avoid accidents. All such technologies will help us to prevent any kind of accident and there will be no railway accidents in future,’ she said after inaugurating the extended metro railway service on the southern fringes of the city.
‘Whenever railway accidents occur, people blamed me and my department for not commissioning anti-collision devices in trains. My predecessors did not think of developing such devices. I have started developing such devices within one year after becoming the railway minister and I will do everything for the safety and security of the passengers.’
‘After railway disruptions, a section of people started an agitation without understanding the problem. The railway employees did not create the problem as their duty is to run smoothly. A section of people did the sabotage to tarnish the image of the railway and mine,’ Benerjee alleged.
Urging the people not to agitate during delay or disruption of railway services, she said: ‘Railway is run by technology and because of technical snag railway services is delayed sometimes. During technical fault we can not run trains as that will result in accident. Our main objective is carrying passengers safely.’
‘So I request you. Railway is your property. You have to look after it so that no one can damage it,’ Banerjee appealed.
The minister also introduced two new AC rakes into the service of Kolkata Metro Railway, the country’s first rapid transit system introduced in 1984.
The 2.7 kilometre long extended route will connect Kavi Nazrul station (Garia Bazar) with Kavi Subash station (New Garia).