Kannauj collapse-One of Many that Wait to Happen

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Mr MR, like in past, we can only report, choice to act is yours

Divisions are Operating Units not of Construction-get the basics right in interest of safety

Stop nonsense of putting as leaders those who have no knowledge of works

Stop the pressure of fast delivery-mega inaugurations create competitive pressure which erodes safety

We broke the story here:

A big example of negligence and lack of supervision

First few Updates:

It is learnt that the fallen-collapsed structure was handled by #OpenLine and NOT by Gati Shakti Unit (#GSU). Responsibility is of Open Line Civil Engineers. The work was taken over by open line by bluffing #DRM/IZN who belonged to #IRPS and who never had ground knowledge of railway workings.

It is also learnt that the then #ADRM/Infra/IZN reportedly convinced then inexperienced #DRM about #Construction getting delayed and that #GSU was not able to handle the work load.

It is further learnt that there was a nexus of group of civil engineers including ADRM/Infra. The fallen works at Kannauj station building including five other projects’ tender was floated by SrDEN-II/IZN and accepted by the then most controversial ADRM/Infra/IZN.

This opens few very important issues

  1. We always asked for separation of open line from construction activities. Both need very different mindset. It is disturbing to note that even after railway board’s instructions, #GatiShakti works have not been transferred out of open lines.
  2. When you have a DRM who can be easily bluffed or manipulated this is what happens.
  3. To be fair to DRM, one must examine another vulnerability: 30% of #APAR is on group performance-this perhaps further clouded the judgement.
  4. This failure will impact the current set of officers, whereas real culprits have already left. This is because of change brought by #PiyushGoyal where everyone’s APAR will get impacted by such events. (It will soon be examined and explained separately.)

It is time that this method of rerating #APAR score or #KPI (Key Performance Index) based on #mistakes or #accidents in which one has no part is abolished.

What Should be Done:

#Government of India has reviewed several useless or ineffective decisions and recalibrated them.

#Divisions are #Operating Units and not of #Construction-get the basics right in interest of #safety. Divisions used to do supercheck before accepting the asset-do not make them party to construction.

Restore the earlier #System of #APAR ratings on individual performance. Current system is biased to punish truthful reporting. It is important to understand that Zonal Railways (#ZRs) do not have everything in their control-especially on large categories of asset failures-#RDSO approved items fail randomly with no Zonal Railways having any control. In case of poor maintenance practices, encourage #PHODs (if they can be in current #IRMS quagmire) to truthfully report assessments. #GMs can also do that.

What Should Not be Done

Stop nonsense of putting as leaders those who have no knowledge of works. DRMs and GMs are apex safety category posts in a supervisory or administrative role, but they are not administrators. Role of earlier DRM/IZN and that of GM/NER is in serious doubt.

Stop the pressure of fast delivery-mega inaugurations create competitive pressure which erodes safety. Recently decision was taken that 129 stations of 44 divisions under #AmritBharat (#ABSS) category will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble PM.

This means for next two-three months, Civil Engineering and S&T officers of these 44 divisions-two key category of officers-will be totally distracted along with their DRMs.

Concluding

Hon’ble #PM, #MR and the #CRB need to see this. Accidents on track and now these kind of accidents due to hurried decisions. Amrit Bharat type of schemes are windfall for officers who do not get #rotated and become part of #cartels, #lobbies and self-serving #groups. #Passengers would be happy to have place to sit, have safe and punctual travel. Invest in safety and earning contracts. What is use of train stations if there are no affordable trains?

Mr #Minister for Railways, like in past, we can only report, choice to act is yours. To continue..