Vaishnaw sets target for top rail officials after reality check of ‘lightweight tools’ for trackmen | India News

“This is wrong. There is a sharp gap between your (official) reporting and the reporting from people here. In how many months will you achieve the goal of providing light weight equipment to all?… In six months, across the country, you will all get them, and in 6-8 months you will also get gauge measuring equipment,” said a railway employee, playing the role of railway employees in a safe apple drawing.The minister told the track maintainers that safety of passengers and railway staff is the prime focus of the government and several steps have been taken to reduce accidents and casualties. Vaishnav said the railways has developed a mobile app that updates and alerts staff about approaching trains to prevent accidents. He added that the app is being tested for more than 18 months and will soon be made available to everyone working on the track.“The reliability of getting updates through the mobile phone system is much higher than the VHF-based device. Everyone working on the track will get the app for personal safety. If you are safe, the railways is safe,” the minister said.Assuring complete modernization of track maintenance in the next 7-8 years, Vaishnav said that soon track workers will get torque machines to replace heavy weight hammers. Currently, they have to carry these heavy items and walk long distances to maintain the track.The All India Railway Federation (AIRF), which organized the conference to seek the safety and well-being of over 2.5 lakh workers, said it strives for two things – that the railways work safely and that the trackmen are taken care of.