'Flouting of safety norms led to Dima Hasao damage'

HC issues notices over railway project

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has issued notices returnable within four weeks to the Ministry of Railways, the Chairman of the Railway Board, the General Manager (Construction) of the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway and the Chief Vigilance Officer of NF Railway in connection with a PIL which alleges that the recent damage to railway infrastructure in the Dima Hasao district was exacerbated because the NF Railway ignored the safety-related advice of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CSR) regarding the broad gauge single line New Halflong-Ditokcheera-Badarpur-Silchar section.

The PIL, filed by Baharuk Islam Barbhuiya, chief convener of All Barak Youth-Student Association (ABYSA), mentions that the CSR, S Nayak, had earlier declared in his report that that the newly-converted broad gauge line cannot be opened for passenger traffic without danger to the travelling public. The PIL further states that after critically examining the embankments, track, structures, tunnels, bridges at various locations and taking into account breaches and subsidence landslide, the CRS concluded that there were serious impediments in safety in train operation. The CRS also observed that the stability of tunnels and bridges needed to be holistically reviewed by a team of experts.

However, the PIL alleges, the NF Railway deliberately ignored the suggestions made by the CRS. In fact, without complying with the suggestions and disregarding the warning of the CRS, the NF Railway started passenger service in the section from November 21, 2015.

Moreover, the PIL mentions that even after the CRS's warning came true recently in the Dima Hasao district, the NF Railway has started restoration of the railway network without complying with the safety-related suggestions made by the CRS. It contends that if the CRS's suggestions are not implemented even now, then the railway track will be again devastated by flood and landslide and such restoration work will be a total wastage of public money.

As such, the petitioner has requested the High Court to direct the Railways to execute and implement the safety measures suggested by the CRS while carrying out work for restoration of the railway track in the Dima Hasao district. Further, the petitioner requested the High Court to direct the Railway Board to conduct a high-level enquiry to ascertain why the safety measures suggested by the CRS were not implemented before starting of the passenger train service in the hill section.

Hearing of the matter will resume in July.

Also Read:   Damage in Dima Hasao may cost Rs 1,000 crore: Jogen Mohan, Bimal Borah

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