Newz Desk, Durgapur: The Supreme Court on Thursday raised sharp questions over why the Indian Railways offers accident insurance coverage only to passengers who purchase tickets online, leaving out those who buy tickets offline at counters. The apex court sought clear justification for this disparity, observing that both categories of passengers are entitled to equal safety and protection.
A Bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice K. Vinod Chandran posed the query while hearing a set of petitions concerning various aspects of railway safety. The judges remarked that the Railways must prioritise fundamental safety measures—particularly on railway tracks and level crossings—before anything else, as lapses in these areas often expose deeper systemic issues.
During the hearing, several points from a status report submitted by the Railways came under scrutiny. Appearing for the Railways, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee argued that the contents of the report should not be interpreted as the Railways’ list of priorities. He clarified that the report merely enumerates certain steps the Railways has taken to strengthen passenger safety and enhance operational systems.
The Bench, however, stated that while the Railways was free to continue with its systemic improvement initiatives, the Court required greater transparency on safety issues at the ground level. The judges directed the Railways to file a detailed affidavit outlining the measures currently in place for securing railway lines and level crossings—areas they identified as the most critical for preventing accidents.
The Court also emphasised that safety cannot be selective and questioned the rationale behind restricting accident insurance benefits to online ticket holders. It instructed the Railways to explain why offline ticket purchasers are excluded from the scheme and whether steps are being taken to make accident insurance universally accessible.
The matter will be heard again after the Railways submits its comprehensive affidavit on safety measures and insurance coverage.
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