Context:
Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has pointed out “glaring lapses” right from the planning stage to the execution of the new Pamban rail bridge.
Pamban Bridge:
- A railway bridge that connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island with Mandapam on mainland India.
- It was India’s first sea bridge, opened on February 24, 1914.
- The new Pamban bridge is India’s 1st vertical lift railway bridge over sea
- Buit by – Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
Pamban Island:
- Location – Situated between India and Sri Lanka in the Gulf of Mannar.
- Largest island in Tamil Nadu by area.
- Also known as Rameswaram Island.
- Forms a chain with Adam’s Bridge shoals and Mannar Island
Commission of Railway Safety (CRS):
- A government body responsible for ensuring the safety of rail travel and train operations in India.
- Operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- It was not kept under the Ministry of Railways to keep the CRS insulated from the influence of the country’s railway establishment and prevent conflicts of interest.
- Functions and Responsibilities – CRS is tasked with inspectorial, investigatory, and advisory functions as laid down in the Railway Act of 1989.
- Investigates serious rail accidents and ensures compliance with safety standards.
- Organizational Structure – Headed by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), based in Lucknow.
- There are 9 Commissioners of Railway Safety, each overseeing one or more of the 17 Zonal Railways, as well as metro rail systems in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and the Konkan Railway.
- Key Activities –
- Conducting safety inspections and audits of railway infrastructure and operations.
- Providing technical advice to the Central Government on railway safety matters.
- Issuing safety certifications and authorizations for new railway projects
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Which of the following have coral reefs?
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Gulf of Kachchh
3. Gulf of Mannar
4. Sunderbans
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)