Safety scam: Safeguard the lives of Trackmaintainers working tirelessly on tracks

A Scam on Severe Safety Violations in Railways’ Equipment Procurement Endangering Track Maintainers’ Lives with Complete Support of the Corrupt Vigilance Department

This scam which #Railwhispers is bringing to notice in #NorthernRailway authorities. Because of this scam lot of #Trackmaintainers lives are at high risk. Thousands of trackmaintainers are dying when working on tracks. People had raised multiple complaints but no action was taken by #RITES or #RailwayBoard.

Hope Hon’ble Minister for Railways to draw his attention to a matter of grave concern, indicating a substantial #compromise in #Safety standards in different #ZonalRailways that poses a severe threat to the lives of dedicated trackmaintainers.

Regrettably, a genuine source reveals a highly disturbing #scam in the #procurement and #distribution of safety #Raincoats and safety #Waistcoats.

Safety Raincoats:

In the case of the raincoats supplied by a firm from Kolkata, a blatant manipulation of #inspection-procedures has transpired. Shockingly, the inspection, ostensibly carried out by RITES Eastern Region, was entirely compromised, with all the #tests either deceitfully conducted at firm’s factory premises.

The raincoats supplied, ostensibly composed of #nylon as per the purchase order, are, in reality, made of #polyester, flagrantly violating the specification of the #contract. Furthermore, the #reflective-tape, a crucial safety feature, underwent no testing whatsoever, passed on the basis of a test report which is almost 24 months old raising serious concerns about the #authenticity and effectiveness of the supplied safety gear.

The #manipulations run deeper, as evidenced by the firm submitting tests allegedly conducted by RITES Eastern Region. Astonishingly, not a single test was carried out at the #RITES laboratory; instead, 13 tests were surreptitiously conducted at the firm’s own premises. It is imperative to know that the firm does not have the lab equipment to conduct those tests. Only a reputed #Laboratory possess such equipment. The #materials were further distributed without adherence to the specified nylon composition, exacerbating the risk to #track maintainers.

Moreover, the reflective tape’s test omission by the RITES inspector-Mr. Palash De – who is not responding the calls – compounded by its #acceptance based on an #authenticity letter and a #two-year-old test report from another #laboratory, underscores a gross #negligence in ensuring vital safety features. All the documents of RITES inspection are in the possession of #Railwhispers.

This #fraudulent activity was orchestrated by the director of the supplier firm, and the local liasoner, who allegedly bribed high-ranking officials of Northern Railway vigilance, RITES and the #consignee to facilitate this deceitful transaction. The material was distributed to the track maintainers covertly during #Diwali which is also after the #monsoon ended raising huge concerns over the credibility of the department.

Safety Waistcoats:

Equally disconcerting is the safety waistcoat case, wherein the Faridabad based firm, supplied #material based on an incomplete and outdated test report from #NITRA lab. Despite the order being placed on the firm on May 31, 2023, the #samples received by the lab for testing were dated May 30, 2023, as clearly indicated in the test report. Notably, the tests for the slide #fastener as per IS:14181 and the #Reflective logo as per EN:13356, explicitly mentioned in the #purchase-order, were conspicuously absent from the test report. Despite these discrepancies, the #consignee and #Vigilance department accepted the material without taking any action, even after a thorough review of their file. The test report is in the possession of #Railwhispers.

Furthermore, the firm based in Faridabad, claims to be the #manufacturer of #Reflective-tape, specifically the grey strip on the #jacket that illuminates when exposed to light, serving as a crucial safety feature for safety waistcoats. Contrary to their assertion, there is no manufacturer of #Glass-bead reflective tape in India. The firm is engaged in #fraudulent misrepresentation by claiming to be the manufacturer of this tape. In response to a #RTI query seeking certified details of the manufacturing plant and machinery, supported by videos and photos, as certified by a competent authority, the firm shamelessly denied providing the information, acknowledging the absence of any #plant and #machinery for reflective tape production.

It is imperative to note that the entire tape supplied by this Faridabad based firm is of #inferior-quality, lacking #specifications, and poses a #danger to track maintainers. This fraudulent activity was orchestrated by the director of the firm, and the same local liasoner, who allegedly bribed high-ranking officials of Northern Railway vigilance and the consignee to facilitate this deceitful transaction. Such actions not only #compromise the #integrity of the procurement process but also jeopardize the safety of individuals relying on these materials. Immediate and stringent measures should be taken to rectify this situation and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

It is imperative to emphasize that the lives of track maintainers are at immediate risk due to these compromised safety gears. The orchestrators of these fraudulent activities, including all above firms directors, and the same liasoner, and other implicated officials, are egregiously endangering lives for personal gain.

In the case of this Faridabad based firm’s claim of manufacturing glass bead reflective tape is not only fraudulent but also poses a significant threat to track maintainers. Their refusal to provide certified manufacturing plant and machinery details upon RTI inquiry underscores the depth of this deception.

#Railwhispers beseech the concerned authorities to initiate an immediate, covert, and extensive random sample testing, entrusting the task solely to government labs such as the #Wool Research Association, Thane, Maharashtra where manipulations by unscrupulous actors are less probable. The Ministry of Railways must act decisively and swiftly to rectify this situation, ensuring the safety of track maintainers.

It is imperative to bring to attention a parallel case involving safety waistcoats procured from another firm, which substantiates the assertions made herein. Initially, the supply from the said firm was rejected by the Vigilance department upon dispatching a random sample to a government laboratory, Wool Research Association in Thane. Subsequently, the same liasoner allegedly engaged in bribery, influencing the Vigilance officer. This #unethical act was further compounded during a joint inspection, wherein the samples were surreptitiously substituted and redirected to a private laboratory. Consequently, the material, which had previously been rejected, received approval.

This disturbing pattern of misconduct strongly implies systemic #corruption within the Vigilance department of Northern Railways. Such actions not only compromise the integrity of the procurement process but also raise serious concerns about the safety and reliability of materials procured for critical applications. A thorough investigation and stringent measures are imperative to address and rectify these apparent lapses in ethical standards and procedural integrity.

If any mishap occur due to these compromised safety gears, it is imperative to categorize it as a case of #murder rather than an #accident, holding all involved parties #accountable for their actions. The Ministry’s ongoing efforts must not be in vain, and stringent action against these fraudulent activities is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Railway officials.

We trust that Hon’ble Minister for Railways will treat this matter with the urgency and gravity it warrants, taking decisive action to safeguard the lives of those working tirelessly on railway tracks. To continue..

Documents are in possession with #Railwhispers:

1. GEM Contracts of #StarSafetyHub, Faridabad and #PoddarSales, Kolkata.
2. Incomplete and outdated test report of Star Safety Hub.
3. Declaration by Star Safety Hub claiming to be the manufacturer of Reflective tape.
4. #RITES inspection documents of Poddar Sales.
5. Rejection advice of #Aktion Safety Solutions.