Title - SCR to intensify patrolling

The South Central Railway, with rise in the number of fire accidents in the Vijayawada division, has decided to intensify patrolling on trains and in stations to prevent carrying/transportation of inflammable material.Similarly, the government has enhanced the ex gratia amount from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 for simple injuries, from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 25,000 for grievously injured passengers, and Rs.50,000 to the bereaved families in case of deaths in accidents.The increased ex gratia amount was being given from August 1, said Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Pradeep Kumar at a press conference here on Friday.Keeping in view the safety of passengers, special drives were launched in all stations. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was asked to conduct checks in trains and surprise checks on platforms.The SLRs and parcel vans were being checked to prevent transportation of dangerous goods and security had been beefed up at the entry points in major stations.Besides, intensive track patrolling and review meetings on safety were being conducted every Monday, said Mr. Pradeep Kumar.The SCR paid ex gratia amount to all the victims of the Tamil Nadu Express fire accident which occurred in Nellore on July 30.Ex gratia amount was also paid to 13 passengers who suffered injuries in Tiruvananthapuram-Guwahati Express train accident that occurred at Eluru recently, said the DRM.

CCTVs proposed

Additional DRM S. Subba Rao, who was also present at the press conference, said that Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) were proposed at Tadepalligudem, Chirala, and Eluru railway stations. Such CCTVs were functional in Vijayawada, Bhimavaram, Ongole, and Nellore stations, said Mr. Rao.

Mr. Pradeep Kumar said that Vijayawada division registered gross earnings of Rs. 841 crore (from April to June) as against Rs.702 crore for the same period last year.