In aftermath of Mumbai stampede, Railway minister promises escalators, foot bridges and more


Mumbai, Sep 30 (Zee News): A day after the devastating stampede at the Elphinstone station here, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday announced a slew of safety measures including more manpower and additional escalators at crowded suburban stations.

He also said that from now on the Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) would be deemed mandatory and not just a public amenity.

At least 23 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in a horrific stampede during the rush hour here on Friday.

Goyal said, "We are turning a 150-year-old convention on its head, hereafter, FOBs (Foot Over Bridges) will be deemed mandatory not a passenger amenity."

"Additional escalators sanctioned at crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high traffic stations," the minister added.

The ministry also plans to relocate 200 officers from the headquarters as field staff to enhance ground operations.

"200 officers to be relocated from Head Quarters as field staff to strengthen ground operations and project implementation," Goyal said in a series of tweets after holding a meeting with Railway Board officials here.

He also said that to eliminate bureaucracy and delays, "I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety."

  

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Comment on this article

  • Beowulf, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 01 2017

    There is no value on the life of a common person in India.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Sun, Oct 01 2017

    Ministers promises will not help but he has to agree to complete these works on time bound compliance

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • leslie, udupi

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Too little... Too late Piyush...
    Life can not be bought back...
    You guys are also ordinary then...
    Why should we elect Bajapa again???

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • I wish I was there, Bahrain

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Modi will say bullet escalator for all railway station.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deva, Pilar

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Just watch and see.. all are Jumlas.. just cool the Climate.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rob Stan, Udupi / US

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    A lot of money meant for railway projects is payed as bribe while awarding contracts which is why the condition of Indian railways is not improving. The money so accumulated by the contractors being invested outside the country like in the middle-east and turned into white & tax-free. In these terms at least bullet train project is being awarded directly to Japanese & at least we can be sure that quality is maintained even though improvement of present railway track & coaches & it's quality is more important than initializing the former. Just look at the condition of Mangalore to Bangalore railway line. It's built as if it's not at all an important project. If they had maintained the quality of construction especially at ghat section then speed would have been improved & it would have been possible to reduce the hours to reach Bangalore. It looks as if it is built for cargo & not for people. In Karnataka, different lobbies work against people friendly projects. If the railway line is improved it is much better & comfortable for people to travel. It's difficult to get ticket in railways & rail yatrika sangha's trying their best to improve the train services in Karnatka. In similar terms we also need aeroplane yatrika sangha so that they can celebrate different festivals in the closest airport & remind the authorities about the safety aspects. Improvement of connections using Narrow body aircraft to different international destinations where major airlines are operating for onward journey using wide body aircraft is one of the option. Aeroplane Yatriaka Sangha can also check with the authorities if 4000 Cr latest proposal if it's for improvement of safety area beyond the runway. Also if it's not feasible to invite the foreign airlines then our domestic carriers & international carriers can operate on alternate days which would improve the competition & quality of service.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Since the BJP government took over in May 2014, In last three years alone, at least 650 people have died in train accidents and 899 were injured in 27 train accidents.
    Instead of pursuing PM Modi's pet bullet train project, the Centre should focus on improving safety of passengers and amenities at stations.While the Government has no time to rectify the shortcomings in the present rail system, it wants to bring in bullet trains.
    As many as 29 train accidents were reported in the first 6months of 2017, killing 57 people and injuring 58, according to this reply to the Lok Sabha, Parliament’s Lower House, on 19 July, 2017. Of the 29 accidents, 69% or 20 were due to derailment, claiming 39 lives and injuring 54.
    The state-run transporter is struggling with the absence of adequate security systems, deficiencies in track maintenance and a severe lag in adopting new technology.
    Plagued by underinvestment for years, the state-run transporter is struggling with over saturated lines and obsolete signalling systems in the absence of infrastructure development. Even though rail technology has advanced worldwide, India lags far behind when it comes to adopting new technology. Even after it is adopted, the ground staff is not equipped to handle it.
    In the past Goyal used a photograph showing a landscape destroyed by collieries to promote coal mining and brag about his ministry’s achievements.So a rule from 1990 of transferring tickets has made it to a WhatsApp message in 2017, crediting Piyush Goyal for a groundbreaking change. As a Power minister Piyush Goyal tweeted the government’s achievement of illuminating 50,000 km of Indian roads with LED lights. Except for one problem: the image used in the tweet was from Russia.
    This is the second train accident in four days and 12th in 35 days and it is third shuffle for Railway Ministry.Goyal is deputy in charge of poll for in Karnataka. But BJP seems far behind Mr.Lalu as a minister. Is Indian railways another failed demonetisation.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    It costed the lives of 23 citizens, bread winners, sacrifice for making basic Railway infrastructure needs Mandatory!
    Hope the commitment is taken seriously and implemented, not forgotten after few days!

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Do you need 23 human sacrifices before you start Development ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Ab Aaya Oont Pahad Ke Niche ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jagdish, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    I have doubt that pappu is behind this matter....please investigate him first

    DisAgree [20] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Nach Na Aye ...

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    After so many deaths..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karthik Karkera, Maryhill Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 30 2017

    Legacy issue, politicization of railways under Congress government , misgovernance under Lalu and Mamtas tenure has led to this state of Railways . Hope Piyush Goyal will be able to fix these issues

    DisAgree [17] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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