September 09, 2006	Saturday	Sha'aban 15, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 8: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday told the National Assembly that 245 train accidents of passenger and goods trains occurred during the period from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005.

In a written reply to a question raised by MNA Dr Farida Ahmed, the federal minister said out of the total of 245 accidents, 231 occurred due to derailment of passenger and goods trains. He said 14 accidents of other nature took place during the period.

The minister said 24 incidents of derailment of passenger trains occurred during 2003, followed by 23 in 2004 and 31 in 2005, while 48 incidents of derailments of goods trains took place in 2003, followed by 49 in 2004 and 56 in 2005.

The government is taking various safety measures to prevent accidents in future like eliminating human error and technical improvements, he said, adding that inquiries into accidents were held, responsibility fixed and remedial measures adopted on the basis of findings of the inquiry and the staff held responsible was dealt with under the law.

Special bulletins/instructions are issued regularly for guidance of staff, Mr Ahmad said, adding that regular inspections in accordance with the prescribed quota were conducted by officers and officials to maintain safety standards and this process was constantly monitored at an appropriate level.

The minister said in addition to present inspection procedure, a two-tier surveillance system of inspection had been introduced to ensure that system functioned properly.

Pakistan Railways has formed inspection teams to monitor the system and the staff training and refresher courses are conducted at the Pakistan Railway Academy, he added.

In order to provide better working conditions to operating staff, Pakistan Railways has recently enhanced pay scales, besides a new operational allowance has been given to staff responsible for safety of train operations, he added.

The minister said the condition of the rest rooms of the running staff had also been improved.

He said patrolling of track had been started round the clock by the officers/officials of the engineering department and Pakistan Railway Police. Strength of the patrollers has been increased from two to four in each gang from dusk to dawn. Patrolling of track by motor trolleys and push trolleys has been started by Railway Police and railway officials jointly.

Pickets/tents are being set up at every 10 kilometres distance for joint patrolling by railway police, district police and patrollers, he said, adding, that the entry and exit points of important railway stations had been reduced to the minimum and were guarded by the railway police.