RCF: Passenger’s safety at stake due to Shady deals, Compromised quality and Rampant corruption, part-4

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“RCF: Passenger’s safety at stake due to Shady deals, Compromised quality and Rampant corruption, part-1”

“RCF: Passenger’s safety at stake due to Shady deals, Compromised quality and Rampant corruption, part-2”

“RCF: Passenger’s safety at stake due to Shady deals, Compromised quality and Rampant corruption, part-3”

Ahead of the concluding curve.. The following aspects need thorough investigation by an independent agency outside the preview of Indian Railways-

1. Why was no action taken to rectify the inferior quality of #seats and #berths installed in the coaches, despite it being a proven fact and under the scrutiny of #RCF #vigilance? Why were these issues ignored and brushed aside?
2. Despite multiple failures and rejections of the seats and berths supplied by M/s #DTL during checks and audits conducted by #RCF #Mechanical officers, why was no action taken against the #firm? Why was the firm not #blacklisted as per the guidelines outlined in #ISP06?
3. Considering the known subpar #performance of M/s #DTL, what influenced the officials to award a new #contract to the same underperforming firm?
4. Why were the coaches dispatched from #RCF when there were #doubts about the #quality of the installed seat and berth? Why were the coaches dispatched out of #RCF, when #quality inspects the same before gate out dispatch?
5. If the items were supposed to adhere to a proper Quality Assurance Plan (#QAP), why were the #specifications for M/s DTL relaxed to accommodate the firm’s preferences?
6. Why was the human error, acknowledged by M/s #DTL, disregarded (condoned) when it was known that the supplied seat and berth were of inferior quality and posed a #Safety risk due to non-compliance with #fire, #smoke, and #toxicity standards?
7. In the case of doubts about the #quality of the installed seat and berths, why weren’t important tests like heat release rate conducted in an independent lab outside of #RCF? The quality department of RCF routinely conducts such tests to identify any shortcomings!
8. Who will be held responsible if the coaches catch #fire and become a dangerous environment endangering many lives, similar to #concentration camps during #Hitler’s regime?
9. What were the reasons for rejecting tender numbers 17211691 and 17211691A, where M/s DTL was ranked as L-5 and L-7, respectively?
10. Why were the bids from M/s Hindustan Fibre Glass Works, Vadodara not considered in #tender number 17211691, despite the firm’s performance meeting benchmark standards? Additionally, why were #developmental orders not given to other tenderers as per the tabulation statement?
11. Why was the #tender settled at an approximately 30% higher rate compared to previous rates, awarding the order to a previously failed firm and resulting in an additional cost of approximately ₹16 crore (Rs. Sixteen crore) for 130 coaches?
12. Why dual standards followed in settling the tender, when it is established that orders can’t be given to a failure firm?

Summary:

a) An order was placed for the #Design, #Supply, and #Fitment of complete furnishing of #GaribRath AC3-tier coaches on a #turnkey basis to M/s #DTL India Holdings Limited-Pune.

b) The initial order value was ₹22.17 crore for 49 coaches, which was later increased to 58 sets and then further increased to 71 sets and finally to 80 sets.

c) The #Vigilance department of #RCF conducted an #audit and found that the seats and berths installed by M/s #DTL were of inferior quality, but no action was taken due to #corruption.

d) The use of #inferior quality materials in 19 coaches already running on the #tracks on #IndianRailways can lead to increased fire hazards, rapid smoke generation, toxic fume emission, and compromised passenger #Safety in case of a #fire incident, becoming akin to concentration camp like Hitler’s.

e) A Joint Purchase Order (#JPO) was signed to address the #replacement of seats and berths for the first 10 coaches, but no progress was made due to #corruption and vested interests of officials.

f) Fresh orders were placed on M/s DTL despite their poor performance and higher rates, causing extra payment of approximately ₹16 crore.

g) Tender no. 17211691A and 17221178 were dropped on weak justifications, favouring M/s DTL even though they were ranked lower among the tenderers.

h) The #officials involved in the process, including the #GMRCF, #CVO, and #quality department, accepted illicit payments, jeopardizing national #security and passenger #safety?

i) The actions of these officials and the use of inferior quality seats and berths have put the lives of #passengers at risk and compromised the #Safety of Indian Railways.