The increase in the frequency of accidents with BDZ trains and the presence of a fatal outcome is disturbing in itself. Before I even sat down in my chair, it became clear to me that this is a trend that must be stopped in some way. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov during his hearing in parliament in connection with the recent incidents, quoted by "Focus" .
The Minister of Transport and Communications stated that immediately after taking office he held a meeting with the three companies that are part of the "Bulgarian State Railways" holding, as well as with the persons responsible for railway safety.
"For fatal accidents to occur, especially like the last one, in which two trains collided head-on - this is a huge catastrophe. This is a very extraordinary incident for any railway. At these meetings, we immediately analyzed the reasons that led to the accident, especially those that led to a fatal outcome," the minister explained.
According to him, several reasons immediately emerged at the meeting: "The first is that in exceptional cases, in very rare cases, it is possible to run a red traffic light. There is such a procedure, but this is in very rare cases. However, this action had become almost an everyday occurrence".
Minister Karadjov explained that such frequent crossings of trains at red traffic lights occur most often due to repairs to the railway infrastructure.
"Train crossings are done with verbal commands, according to an established protocol, but once one thing is introduced as an exception and starts happening more often, it becomes almost an everyday occurrence. We have banned crossing at red traffic lights. No more crossing at red traffic lights. This will happen according to the relevant protocol for the train to be given the green light and to pass as it should".
A second measure that we introduced is for the so-called "industrial branches". In these, the order for entering the main line is to return to the station after you have finished the shunting activities, attach yourself to the creative equipment and set off on the main line. This was not widely observed. From the testimony of this incident, it became clear that they had agreed in order to save time - the dispatcher calls the other dispatcher "there is no train, come on, drive". Until the day came when one dispatcher leaves for half an hour and this little piece of cake is worth this incident because he forgot to tell his deputy.
We ordered the NRIC to have so-called "ejectors" - if someone thinks of passing by there, there are metal ejectors that throw the wagon or locomotive off the rails and there it moves at 2 to 5 km/h, goes off the rails and stops", the minister said.
He said that the ministry had also ordered the holding of briefings on safety in railway transport.
"There will be briefings and exams every quarter until the environment enters the disciplined formula it should be in," said Minister Karadjov.
The Transport Minister told the deputies that in the first two weeks after taking office, numerous violations were found throughout the country:
"There were many violations every day. According to my information, the National Railways have dismissed 8 people to date for serious violations of railway safety. Thank God, with material damage. Because a violation occurred, these people were dismissed. For the first violation, when it comes to safety, you are fired.".