Section 26: Re-opening of closed railway

When the Central Government has, under section 25, directed the closure of a railway or the discontinuance of the use of any rolling stock–

(a) the railway shall not be re-opened for the public carriage of passengers until it has been inspected by the Commissioner and its re-opening is sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter; and

(b) the rolling stock shall not be used until it has been inspected by the Commissioner and its re-use is sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

Simplified Explanation

Section 26 outlines the procedures to be followed when a railway that has been closed under Section 25 is to be re-opened, or when rolling stock that has been discontinued is to be reused. The re-opening and re-use are conditional upon safety inspections and approvals.

Key Provisions:

1. Re-opening of Railway:
   • If the Central Government has ordered the closure of a railway (due to safety concerns under Section 25), the railway cannot be re-opened for the public carriage of passengers until:
     • It has been inspected by the Commissioner, and
     • The re-opening is sanctioned by the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of the relevant chapter.
2. Re-use of Rolling Stock:
   • Similarly, if the use of any rolling stock (trains or other vehicles used on the railway) has been discontinued, it cannot be reused until:
     • The rolling stock has been inspected by the Commissioner, and
     • The re-use is sanctioned by the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Implications:

• Safety Assurance: This section emphasizes the necessity of a formal safety inspection before any railway or rolling stock is allowed back into service, ensuring public safety is prioritized after a closure or suspension due to safety concerns.
• Regulatory Compliance: The re-opening or re-use of the railway or rolling stock cannot proceed without complying with the established safety standards, which are verified through inspection and sanctioning by the Commissioner and the Central Government.
• Preventive Measures: This process ensures that no unsafe infrastructure or equipment is returned to service unless it meets the required safety standards.

Conclusion:

Section 26 ensures that any railway previously closed for safety reasons or rolling stock that was discontinued due to safety issues cannot return to service until a thorough inspection by the Commissioner is conducted, and the Central Government grants its approval. This reinforces the importance of continuous safety assessments to protect the public.