Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Uncovers Discrepancy in Tool Distribution at Conference
In a revealing moment at a track maintainers' conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw exposed a significant gap between official claims and the on-ground reality regarding the distribution of lightweight tools. When he inquired about how many track maintainers had received these tools, the response was overwhelmingly dismal, prompting immediate action.
Minister Vows Swift Action to Bridge the Gap
Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed strong disapproval, stating, "This is wrong. There is a sharp gap between your official reporting and the reporting from people here." He demanded a clear timeline, asking, "In how many months will you achieve the target of providing lightweight tools to all?" The minister then announced a firm commitment: within six months, all track maintainers across the country will receive lightweight tools, and within 6-8 months, they will also be equipped with gauge measuring tools. This declaration was met with enthusiastic applause from the railway employees, who play a crucial role in ensuring safe train operations.
Emphasis on Safety and Technological Advancements
Addressing the track maintainers, Vaishnaw reiterated that the safety of passengers and the railway workforce remains the government's top priority. He highlighted several steps taken to successfully reduce accidents and fatalities. A key innovation is a mobile app developed by the railways, which provides accurate updates and alerts to track workers about approaching trains, thereby preventing accidents.
The minister explained, "The reliability of getting updates through the mobile phone system is much higher than the VHF-based device." After being tested for over 18 months, the app will soon be made available to all workers on the tracks. Vaishnaw emphasized, "Everyone working on tracks will get the app for personal safety. If you are safe, then railways is safe."
Commitment to Modernization and Worker Welfare
Assuring a comprehensive modernization of track maintenance within the next 7-8 years, Vaishnaw announced that track workers will soon receive torque machines to replace heavy-weight hammers. Currently, these workers must carry heavy equipment and walk long distances for maintenance tasks, a burden that will be alleviated with these new tools.
The conference was hosted by the All India Railway Federation (AIRF), which advocates for the safety and well-being of over 2.5 lakh workers. The federation stated its dual focus: ensuring that railway operations are conducted safely and that trackmen are adequately cared for, aligning with the minister's initiatives to enhance both infrastructure and worker conditions.
