. NEW DELHI: A quick check by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday showed how there is a gap between what officials claim and the ground reality. At a track maintainers’ conference, he asked how many of them have got “lightweight tools” and the response was dismal.“This is wrong. There is a sharp gap between your (official) reporting and the reporting from people here. In how many months will you achieve the target of providing lightweight tools to all?… in six months, you all, across the country, will get them, and in 6-8 months you will also get gauge measuring tools,” Vaishnaw said, drawing applause from railway employees, who play a crucial role in safe train operations.The minister told track maintainers that safety of passengers and railway workforce remains govt’s prime focus and several steps have been taken to successfully reduce accidents and fatalities. Vaishnaw said railways has developed a mobile app which updates and alerts track workers about approaching trains more accurately to prevent accidents. He added that the app is being tested for more than 18 months and will be soon made available to all working on tracks.“The reliability of getting updates through the mobile phone system is much higher than the VHF-based device. Everyone working on tracks will get the app for personal safety. If you are safe, then railways is safe,” the minister said.Assuring that there will be complete modernisation of track maintenance in the next 7-8 years, Vaishnaw said soon track workers will get torque machines to replace heavy weight hammers. At present, they need to carry these heavy weight items and walk long for maintaining tracks.All India Railway Federation (AIRF), which hosted the conference to advocate for the safety and well-being of over 2.5 lakh workers, said it strives for two things — railway works safely and trackmen are taken care of.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for dinner at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate3 mantras to chant everyday that are believed to bring peace, prosperity and divine protectionExclusive: President Droupadi Murmu hosted South Korean President with royal Rajasthani feastMukul Chadda, Mallika Sarabhai, Smriti Kalra: Meet the IIM graduates who swapped corporate suits for movie scripts123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLSG vs RR IPL MatchMohandas PaiSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: A quick check by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday showed how there is a gap between what officials claim and the ground reality. At a track maintainers’ conference, he asked how many of them have got “lightweight tools” and the response was dismal.“This is wrong. There is a sharp gap between your (official) reporting and the reporting from people here. In how many months will you achieve the target of providing lightweight tools to all?… in six months, you all, across the country, will get them, and in 6-8 months you will also get gauge measuring tools,” Vaishnaw said, drawing applause from railway employees, who play a crucial role in safe train operations.The minister told track maintainers that safety of passengers and railway workforce remains govt’s prime focus and several steps have been taken to successfully reduce accidents and fatalities. Vaishnaw said railways has developed a mobile app which updates and alerts track workers about approaching trains more accurately to prevent accidents. He added that the app is being tested for more than 18 months and will be soon made available to all working on tracks.“The reliability of getting updates through the mobile phone system is much higher than the VHF-based device. Everyone working on tracks will get the app for personal safety. If you are safe, then railways is safe,” the minister said.Assuring that there will be complete modernisation of track maintenance in the next 7-8 years, Vaishnaw said soon track workers will get torque machines to replace heavy weight hammers. At present, they need to carry these heavy weight items and walk long for maintaining tracks.All India Railway Federation (AIRF), which hosted the conference to advocate for the safety and well-being of over 2.5 lakh workers, said it strives for two things — railway works safely and trackmen are taken care of.
