Is your train safe?

CHENNAI: Continuing their study for the second day in Chennai on Tuesday, the High-level Safety Review Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Railways to check the growing number of rail accidents, evaluated the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) installed on the Chennai-Gummidipoondi section.According to sources, the committee comprising its secretary Agarwal and Dr N Vedachalam of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre left by a special Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) from the Moore Market Complex at 11.40 am. After carrying out their evaluation till Ponneri, they returned to Chennai by 2.00 pm.The TPWS is a pilot project of the Ministry of Railways,  under trial in this (Chennai - Gummidipoondi) section for the last four years. It is a technology that reduces the probability of driver error and enhances passenger safety by using the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) technology to warn drivers of changed conditions ahead. This is the first time that ERTMS technology has been applied outside Europe.Following a series of accidents, the Railway Ministry constituted the High Level Safety Review Committee, headed by ex-chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Dr Anil Kakodkar in September.Based on the accidents and their consequences witnessed in the recent past, the Committee would examine all aspects of signalling systems, rolling stock, tracks, bridges and over head equipment, human resource development with emphasis on training, education and research, need for third party audit, organisational and structural changes in research design and standards organization (RDSO) and other departments, and suggest improvements in procedural system, besides modifications.The committee would lay the roadmap on safety-related issues which need to be addressed in short and long terms and would make recommendations.It may be recalled that the panel members, visited the flash butt welding plant at Arakkonam and ballast manufacturing unit at Tiruvalangadu on Monday.