ISLAMABAD, July 22: Safety of Pakistan Railways is a permanent concern for the ministry of railways and an upbeat programme has been embarked upon to improve its safety standards and prevent accidents , Federal Minister for Railways Ghous Bukhsh Khan Maher informed the upper house on Thursday.

Commenting on the steps the ministry had taken recently, the minister said regular inspections by officers to ensure safe train operations as per the laid down safety standards and rules were being carried out.

Modernization of signalling system, raising level of safety consciousness among the railway staff and officers, inquiries into accidents and their analysis, regular training and refresher courses at the railway academy and local training centres are also part of the upgradation scheme for the Pakistan Railways, he said.

To improve the train operations, all officers concerned had been instructed to conduct meaningful inspections strictly in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, he said and added that this process was being constantly watched and monitored at appropriate levels.

Besides rehabilitation of tracks, special attention was being paid to the training of locomotive crew and staff concerning train operations, Mr Maher said.

Moreover, the condition of rest rooms for the operating staff out of their headquarters has been improved to ensure proper rest, improve their performance and efficiency.