New Delhi: Concerned over frequent train accidents due to obsolete equipment and human error, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar on May 28 asserted that the 17,000 crore special safety fund would be judiciously used for speedy replacement of age-old systems and skill upgradation.

"Statistics show about two thirds of rail accidents take place due to human failure and mistakes, when laid down rules and procedures are flouted," Kumar said at a seminar on rail safety organised by National Federation Of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR).

He added, "Many accidents also occur due to equipment failure. More than 10,000 kilometres of tracks are overdue for renewal while a large number of fragile bridges require immediate replacement. Same is the condition of signal mechanism. In more than 1,000 railway stations, signal equipment is yet to be replaced, but it has not been possible to install new equipment due to resource crunch.

Asserting that government is striving to ensure "zero rail accident" rate, the minister said the creation of the special railway safety fund would play a key role in this regard as all obsolete equipment and systems would be replaced within six years. Greater attention is being given to quality and life cycle cost of various materials as well as training and skill development of manpower to enhance safety.

Railway board chairman I M S Rana and NFIR general secretary M Raghavaiah were among those who addressed the seminar.

_ PTI