Alleged W-Beam Scam Hits Indian Railways: Vigilance Intervention Sought
Serious allegations of corruption and monetary fraud have surfaced in multiple railway projects involving the supply and installation of sub-standard W-Beam crash barriers along railway tracks boundaries. The matter spans key zones — West Central, South East Central, Northern and North Central Railways — indicating a systemic failure rather than isolated lapses.
According to complaints sent to investigating agencies, #contractors, allegedly in collusion with #corrupt railway officials, have supplied W-Beams of lesser thickness and inadequate #galvanization and zinc coating, while securing payments for full, specification-compliant material.
Mandatory quality checks such as thickness measurement, micron testing of galvanization, and independent lab verification are alleged to have been manipulated or bypassed.
Experts warn that such sub-standard barriers compromise #Safety, corrode prematurely, and lead to repeated replacement — causing huge losses to public exchequer and posing risks to human life.
The issue has now been flagged for urgent attention of Minister for Railways Mr #AshwiniVaishnaw, the #RailwayBoard, and #RailwayVigilance with demands for:
- Immediate CBI/Vigilance/CVC investigation,
- Random technical testing of installed W-Beams through #NABL labs,
- Fixing accountability of contractors and officials, and
- Strict punitive action including recovery, #blacklisting, and #prosecution.
With safety infrastructure under question, the spotlight is now on whether vigilance mechanisms will act decisively to protect railway assets, public money, and passenger safety.