Enhancing Railway Safety: Compulsory Disaster Management Training for Railway Officers

Source- This post is based on the article “Railway officers to be trained in disaster management; NAIR, IRIDM to impart training” published in “The Hindu” on 25th December 2023.

Why in the News?

After the Odisha train tragedy inquiry revealed the need for a quicker disaster response, the Ministry of Railways has mandated disaster management training for railway officers.

What decisions have been made by the Railways?

1) Disaster management is now an integral part of railway officers training, included in both induction courses and mid-career training programs.

2) The National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) in Vadodara and the Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management (IRIDM) in Bengaluru will collaborate to deliver this comprehensive training.

3) However, there is some confusion regarding the implementation of the training. With the the Railway Board’s directive for NAIR to transfer assets, including buildings and infrastructure, to Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), the training programs will now need approval from the university’s Vice-Chancellor. There is a need for clarity on the venue and schedule of training.

What is National Academy of Indian Railways?

1) The National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), previously named the Railway Staff College, was founded in 1925 as a Transportation School.

2) It stands as the top training institute for Indian Railways (IR) and has been situated in Pratap Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat since January 31, 1952.

3) The Academy also organizes customized training programmes for non-Railway personnel like Executives of Public Sector Undertakings, Foreign Nationals and Private organisations.

What is Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)?

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UPSC Syllabus- Miscellaneous (Disaster Management)