New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) A parliamentary panel has directed the Railway Ministry to provide a timeframe for 100 percent implementation of automatic train protection system ‘Kavach’ and adoption of Swiss Cheese Slices model under which multiple layers of safety defense are installed.

In its latest report titled “Derailment in Indian Railways”, tabled in the parliament on Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee said that the Ministry didn’t provide the timeframe for 100 per cent implementation of KAVACH system and furnish the details of implementation status of Swiss Cheese Slices’ or ‘defense barriers model’.

“The Committee desire to be apprised of the latest details in these regards,” the report said.

The PAC, in its 132nd report presented to the parliament on July 24, 2024, had made 17 recommendations to the Railway Ministry, including a time bound programme for, installation of the Kavach system in all divisions.

Other recommendations were related to the shortfalls from 30 to 100 per cent in inspections by Track Recording Cars (specialised rail vehicles used to measure track parameters for safety) to assess the condition of railway tracks, idling of track machines, non submission of inquiry reports of train accidents to the authority and non-availability of fire extinguishers in 27,763 coaches in violations of extant norms among others.

The present report, deals with the action taken by the Railway Ministry on those 17 recommendations.

“The Committee had recommended that a time bound programme for installation of the KAVACH system in all divisions/Routes should be taken up by the Ministry,” the report said.

“The Committee had recommended that the Indian Railways needed to remodel the operational training programmes keeping in view the five barriers/layers of defense (Swiss Cheese Slices or defense barriers) against accidents/derailments and use this Model as a reference for strengthening the above barriers to avoid occurrence of similar incidents. The Committee also desired to be apprised of the implementation status of this Model and the benefits accruing from it,” it added.

Nothing the response of the Railway Ministry, the report stated, “…they have not reflected upon the timeframe for 100 percent implementation of the programme for installation of KAVACH system nor have they furnished the details of implementation status of Swiss Cheese Slices or defense barriers model and the benefits accruing from it across all division/ZR.” Regarding the fire safety measures in trains and at stations, the Committee noted that the ministry, in its response, hasn’t elaborated upon the details regarding the conduct of comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment of trains and stations by an independent agency/Authority.

“The Committee desire that the details of latest measures taken/proposed to help formulate a foolproof fire safety protocol along with details of fire safety audit be furnished to the Committee,” the report stated. PTI JP JP NB NB