Chennai: The Union government filed a counter-affidavit before the Madras high court, setting forth the steps, which have been taken in respect of providing extinguishers and implementing augmented first aid facilities in trains.
Recording the same, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan closed a Public Interest Litigation filed by R. Kannan Govindarajulu, which sought direction to the Union ministry of railways to improve safety of passengers in trains by providing fire extinguishers and first-aid.
In its order, the bench said a counter affidavit has been filed by the Ministry of Railways setting forth the steps taken in respect of providing extinguishers and first aid facilities in trains.
The affidavit showed the different steps taken, while some steps were in progress. P. T. Ramkumar, counsel for Railways assured that the affidavit would be implemented in both letter and spirit. The petition stands closed, the bench added.
In its counter, the railways submitted that special first-aid boxes were provided in all long distance trains, super fast trains, Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains and other nominated 162 trains. Train superintendent / TTE have the list of passengers and can help identify any doctor travelling on the train to administer the medication.
Government ambulances are stationed at all major railway stations / junctions to meet emergencies. Railway doctors are available in health units and railway hospitals round the clock to provide medical assistance. Fire extinguishers are available in the AC coaches, guard van and engine in the train and all frontline staff are training to operate them, the counter added.
