New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS): Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi Thursday asked general managers to accord top priority to strengthening safety and said there would be "zero tolerance" to those erring in implementing the norms.

"The zonal general managers should accord top priority to strengthening safety. No leniency should be shown to those erring in implementing safety norms," Trivedi told the general managers at a special meeting.

Underscoring the significance of safety in railway operations, Trivedi said it was important that the process of inquiries into accidents was completed in time. All necessary follow-up actions like fresh safety instructions, remedial measures and punishment to erring railway staff should be completed expeditiously, he said.

"This will send a strong signal to all railwaymen that zero tolerance will be shown for such incidents," said Trivedi.

The minister added that recommendations of accident-inquiries should be regularly reviewed by general managers along with safety audits conducted by other zonal railway officials.