Defence Ministry nod to 17 new baffle firing ranges
New Delhi, July 3: The Defence Ministry has approved construction of 17 new baffle firing ranges at military stations, cantonments and training establishments at an approximate cost of Rs 238 crore, an official statement said.
The move will add seven ranges to the Southern Command, three to the Eastern Command, two to the Northern Command and one each to the South Western and Central Commands, it said, adding that the 17 new baffle ranges will be in addition to the 60 firing ranges existing all over the country.
Baffle firing ranges are covered shooting practice areas which prevent possible accidents due to stray bullet injuries.
The possibility of such accidents has increased manifold in recent times due to growth of civilian population around the cantonments.
The release said the Defence Ministry has approved additional baffle ranges to prevent casualties without affecting the training requirements of the armed forces. The ranges can facilitate firing from 300 to 500 meters.
The baffle range at the Central Command is proposed for the Officers Training Academy, Gaya.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
