Maintain highest standards of safety and security at railway stations all over India: Delhi High Court to Central government

The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) raising concerns over recent train mishaps, after calling for periodic audits of safety and security measures at all railway stations in the country [Kush Kalra v. Union of India & Ors]. .A Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Saurabh Banerjee took note of the response filed by the Indian Railways, which said that the process of installing anti-collision devices, train protection systems and CCTV cameras was currently underway.“In light of the affidavits filed by the Union of India, nothing more is required and, thus, the present PIL stands disposed of. However, the respondents shall ensure that there is a periodic audit in respect of the safety and security measures in the Indian Railways and after conducting periodic audit and assessing the situation, the Government of India shall ensure maintenance of highest standards of safety and security at railway stations all over the country,” stated the judgment. .Among other things, the PIL highlighted the lack of anti-collision devices, alcohol detecting devices and emergency telephones at railways platforms.In a detailed response, the Railways stated that an anti-collision device developed by the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) was in place as a pilot project on the 1,736 kilometre route on the North-East Frontier Railways. The Court was informed that the trials saw operational and technical problems that haven’t been fully resolved by KRCL. However, an automatic train protection system was being implemented by Indian Railways, the reply said..It also came on record that the Railways had undertaken installation of CCTV cameras at 6,124 railway stations and work was in progress at 257 stations, as part of the endeavour to install cameras in all railway stations across the country.On the point of alcohol detecting devices, the Railways said criminal action was being initiated under Section 145 of the Railway Act, and as of July 2022, as many as 42,086 persons had been prosecuted. The Railways Protection Force and Government Railway Police were in the process of escorting 3,200 trains every day for the safety of passengers, it added.The Railways stated that 245 luggage scanners had been installed at the entry points of railway stations, apart from 977 door frame metal detectors and 4,846 hand-held detectors..The Bench observed that the stand of the Railways reflected that “safety and security of passengers was of paramount importance” and that it had been taking “all necessary safeguards to ensure” no breach in safety and security of passengers. “The affidavit reveals that the Railways have presently installed CCTV Cameras, luggage scanning devices, door fame metal detectors, hand held metal detector, body worn cameras and dogs (Sniffer and Tracker), automatic train protection system etc,” the judges noted while disposing of the PIL..Advocate Kush Kalra appeared in personAdvocate Arunima Dwivedi represented the Railways..[Read Judgment]