The Indian Railways on Sunday launched a month-long Intensive Safety Drive to prevent derailments, Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and other types of accidents.

Senior officers from Railway Board, Zonal Railways and Divisions have been instructed to go to various sections, lobbies, maintenance centers, work sites, etc. and carry out thorough review of working practices to check and enforce safe operational and maintenance practices prescribed to prevent accidents/unusual incidents, the Union Railways Ministry said in a statement.

The Railways Ministry stated that emphasis has been given on observance of signaling aspects and braking practices by Assistant Loco Pilots/Loco Pilots; Observance of Speed Restrictions; Counselling of operators of Track Machines/Tower Wagons; Work Site protection; prevention of short-cuts, among others.

Officers have been instructed to spend sufficient time in the Section/Lobby/Maintenance Center/worksite to observe the operational/maintenance/working practices, and interact with staff on the right and wrong practices to understand the problems being faced by field staff and provide solutions, the ministry added.