Date:08/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110860560800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Railways to tie up with NGOs for relief operations

S. Vijay Kumar

Divisional Railway Managers can hire vehicles in event of accidents
Provision to meet medical expenses of injured in non-railway hospitals

MADURAI: The Railways will rope in the services of non-governmental organisations for relief and rescue operations during emergencies.

The Commercial Department has been entrusted with the task of identifying NGOs with whom the Railways will enter into a tie-up at the divisional level.

The move follows the recommendations made by a high power committee on disaster management.

According to railway sources, adequate financial powers will be delegated to Divisional Railway Managers to hire vehicles in the event of accidents. Provision will be made to meet the expenses of treatment to the injured in non-railway hospitals.

Teams of the Railway Protection Force personnel will be deployed exclusively for safe custody and disposal of passengers’ luggage.

While Commercial Supervisors will label and stack the luggage of the dead/injured passengers, the RPF will hand them over to rightful claimants.

The location and communication details of NGOs identified for disaster management will be available at all stations and headquarters for easy access during accidents. A separate note on the schedule of actions to be taken during accidents has been circulated to all divisions.

In the Madurai Division, NGOs volunteering to render help during emergency situations could contact the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager to get registered.

The Southern Railway has described the initiative as “most urgent,” and sought action taken report from all divisions by November 20, the sources added.