ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways have disbursed an amount of Rs126.2 million as accident compensation to the families of passengers who lost their lives in various track accidents during year 2003 to 2018. According to media, as many as 286 passengers have lost their lives in railway accidents whose families received the relief amount.
It said families of four passengers received compensation amount in 2003, one in 2004, 95 in 2005, two in 2006 while 50 families in 2007, 25 families in 2008, 10 families in 2010, four in 2012, five in 2013, 17 in 2014, 38 in 2015, 32 in 2016, two in 2017 and one in 2018.
Similarly, the Ministry of Railways also paid an amount of Rs 49.392 million to families of 941 passengers who received minor or major injuries in railways accidents during the period. In order to control the accidents, several steps have also been taken including up-gradation of unmanned and vulnerable railway level crossings across the country in collaboration with respective provincial governments.
He said road surface of all level crossings was being improved together with improved warning boards and provision of reliable communication (VHF radio) between ground staff and locomotives crew.
The Directorate of Public Relations has produced video messages for circulations over social media to inform the public about the dangers associated with railway crossings, he said.
He said that all level crossings on Main Line-I (Karachi to Peshawar) would be eliminated by providing under passes and flyovers under China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The official said timely refresher courses and safety seminars were also being arranged to enhance the professional knowledge of the staff and auto train protection system is also underway to minimize such accidents as this system applies brake automatically if the divers of train fail to respond red signal.
He said a professional knowledge testing schedule after every six months for drivers particularly of Multan, Lahore Sukkur, and Karachi divisions should be tested in working of auto block signaling.
Joint certificate of this effect would be issued by the Divisional Signal Engineer and Divisional Mechanical Engineer certifying competency of driver especially regarding the knowledge of auto block signaling.
The certificate would remain in possession of the drivers, he informed.
