Authorisation given by the CRS without completion of electrification work

The authorisation was granted in spite of severe shortcomings, state of incompleteness and lack of basic safety features installed in the section

A vigilance complaint is being sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation since the Chief Commissioner Railway Safety (CCRS) and his organisation reports to this ministry, and is requested that do not send this complaint to the Ministry of Railways since it is likely to be glossed over due to vested interests.

It has also been said that there is nothing technical in this complaint as it is about certifying an incomplete work and deals with irregularities in such certification.

The complaint is to bring the following matter of gross irregularity on the part of a CRS while granting “authorisation” for introduction of commercial services after an incomplete inspection of Railway Electrification Work in the Tinpahar-Bonidanga section of Malda Division of Eastern Railway.

It can be found that the authorisation was granted in spite of severe shortcomings, state of incompleteness and lack of basic safety features installed.

A sample is given below:

i. The speed test and current-collection test was not done at all, an unavoidable and unprecedented lapse. How was the Over Head Equipment (OHE) tested? Was it done only visually, or at low voltages?

ii. As many as about 110 masts were not even erected. This means that the overhead wires were not in place. Then what was inspected?

iii. As much as 31% distance of the rail line was not even provided with overhead wiring at all, then what was inspected by the CRS?

iv. ATD (Automatic Tensioning Devices): A very critical safety item was deficient as many as 66 out of 110. Adjustment of ATD was not done at all – (100% deficiency).

v. Droppering: An unavoidable part of electrical path and safety – 80% not done.

vi. SED: As many as 1555 balance out of 1607 (97%) not installed.

vii. Section Insulator and Isolator: Safety items – 100% deficient.

viii. Earthing was not done in 90% locations of 6912, a serious safety lapse.

ix. SSP and TSS: The main power supply transformers and sectioning equipment – not installed. Without these the overhead wire would not get the power. Not only are these the most basic supply transformers and sectioning devices, their non-installation meant the work was nowhere near completion.

x. Signal and Telecom Works: These had barely started, a long way from completion.

xi. The Electrical and Signal & Telecom Works was not even jointly inspected by the Construction Agency and the User Departments – a mandatory requirement only after which the section should have been offered for authorisation.

xii. Even earthing of fences, platform sheds and Level Crossing Gates was not done, which is most important for public safety.

The list above is only an extract from the authorisation issued for commencement of commercial services.

It can be seen from above, not only was the work incomplete to a large extent, even basic safety installations had not been done on the day of CRS’ inspection.

One could ask what he inspected after all – neither the complete work, nor safety installations, even the charging of the OHE was not done with 25KV.

Even the most basic inspection by the construction agency, the Tower Wagon inspection was not done.

Just terming the authorisation “conditional” doesn’t make it useful and raises serious doubts on the intentions of the request for CRS’ Inspection, the nature of inspection by the CRS and the validity or sanctity of the authorisation, even a conditional one.

It is learnt that, as per request of the complainant, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is inquiring and investigating the above complaint very seriously.

It is also learnt that most of the CRS has given authorisation so many incomplete civil and electrification works in the last few years, that also require re-inspection and re-authorisation for the safety of rail and passengers.

The officers knowledgeable about the issue say that “the CCRS and CRS have been abusing their immunity from Railways to run a corrupt empire. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, to which they report, doesn’t care about their work as it has more important things to look after. So, practically the CCRS and CRS are running an uncontrolled private enterprise to extract money from contractors and railway officers. There is no appeal against their arbitrary and dishonest ways.”

Ref: CRS/NF Circle Letter no. R12046/03/2018-19/BDAG-TPH/RE/EC/1922, dated: 30-03-2019.

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