Ashwini Vaishnaw Directs Railways to Address Safety, Technical & Maintenance Deficiencies

Strict Action Against Substandard Supplies and Deliberate Negligence

Delhi (PIB): Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, 3 September, 2026 chaired a comprehensive safety review meeting at Rail Bhavan. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Railway Board, Members of the Railway Board, General Managers of Zonal Railways, Directors General (DGs), and Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs).

During the meeting, the Railway Minister directed that technical deficiencies related to signalling be addressed in mission mode. With regard to Overhead Equipment (#OHE), he instructed that necessary action be taken to ensure the maintenance and replacement of components at locations where they have completed their prescribed service life.

The Railway Minister directed that the standard of maintenance in workshops be improved, with special attention to the maintenance of coaches, particularly electrical circuits and wiring related to fire safety. He also stressed the need for proper maintenance of couplers and wheels of wagons and coaches.

Regarding track maintenance, emphasis was placed on ensuring proper maintenance of point machines, turnouts and fasteners. Wherever fasteners are missing, arrangements should be made to install them.

The meeting also issued directions for strict action in cases involving poor-quality supplies. If any deficiency is found in the quality of materials related to Signalling & Telecommunication (S&T), OHE, tracks, coaches or wagons, stringent action should be taken against the concerned supplier. In cases of deliberate negligence, the concerned supplier should be permanently blacklisted.

The Railway Minister directed all officials to coordinate with district and state administrations and make advance preparations at locations where a sudden increase in passenger crowds is expected due to festivals or fairs, so that necessary facilities can be made available there in a timely manner.