New Delhi:
Aiming to put rescue and restoration work on fast track, Railways is finalising a plan to procure high-speed self-propelled accident relief trains (SPART) and hydraulic cranes with telescopic boom.
Currently, Railways has 27 self-propelled accident relief trains which run at 110-km speed.
"We are planning to buy 20 high-speed SPART which can run at 200 km per hour speed," said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding, "These will enable rescue equipment to reach the accident site at faster pace and help speedy rescue and restoration work."
Railways has also decided to import eight hydraulic cranes with telescopic boom from Europe to strengthen its disaster management.
"We will go for global tenders to buy the new 175-ton hydraulic cranes with telescopic boom shortly," the official said.
Railways has 69 hydraulic cranes and the existing crane has the capacity to lift 140 tons only. Since, the axle load of coach and wagon has increased, railways need the 175-ton cranes.
"The telescopic boom cranes are required to undertake rescue work inside the tunnel or bridge," he said.
The hydraulic cranes are equipped with cutters, spreaders and hand operated tools for cutting of coaches for rescue of passengers trapped inside the coaches in case of an accident.
Telescopic boom cranes are equipped with hydraulic cutters to cut stainless steel.