(a) whether two rail accidents were occured in Haryana during February, 2000;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the loss of life and property therein;
(d) the compensation given or to be given to the deceased and injured persons; and
(e) the steps taken to prevent such type of accidents?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) to (c) There were two accidents at unmanned level crossings in February 2000, which occured primarily due to negligence of road users. In first accident on 07.02.2000 at 14.10 hours, one Jeep HRJ 3695 dashed against train engine of 3LJH passenger at unmanned level crossing in the Barwala-Uklana block section of Ambala division. In this accident 1 occupant of Jeep was killed and 4 occupants were grievously injured.
In the other accidenton 19.02.2000 at 11.15 hours, one Matador HR-45-2135 dashed against the train at unmanned level crossings in the Kaithal-Kulait block section of Delhi Division. In this accident 1 occupant of Matador was killed and two occupants were simply injured.
No loss of Railway property was reported.
(d) Since unmanned level crossings accidents are caused due to negligence of road users, as per railway rules no compensation is admissible to them.
(e) A statement is enclosed.
Statement
(e) Measures for reducing Unmanned Level Crossing accidents.
1. Proper Road Signs have been provided on approaches to level crossings so that road vehicle drivers become aware of the existence of a level crossing gate.
2. Speed breakers/rumble strips have been provided on approaches to level crossing gates so that road vehicle road vehicle drivers are reminded to reduce their speed.
3. Whistle boards are also provided alongside the rail track on approach to level crossings. Train drivers are required to whistle from the whistle board till such time as the train passes the level crossing gate in order to warn road users about the approaching train. Periodic drivers are launched for checking whether drivers are actually whistling from such whistle boards.
4. Road users have still not got used to the faster speeds of Mail/Express trains. A train travelling at 90 KMPH covers 25m/sec. Thus, although to the road user the train appears to be 150 meters away, in terms of time it is only 6 seconds away. This message is being conveyed to them progressively by various publicity measures.
5. To educate road drivers about safety at unmanned level crossings, publicity campaigns are periodically launched through various media like quickles on TV, cinema slides, posters, talk on radio, newspaper advertisements and street plays.
6. Since accidents at unmanned level crossings take place due to negligence of road users, the State Governments can also help by excercising strict checks while issuing driving licences, specially to drivers of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles. All Chief Secretaries have been requested to co-operate in educating road users.
7. Joint Ambhush Checks with civil authorities are conducted to nab errant road vehicle drivers under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Railways Act, 1989.
8. Involvements of village Panchayats in the railways public awareness programmes is also being done.
9. Permission has been received from some of the State Governments for putting up L-Xing Safety posters at Village Panchayat Offices. These posters are presently under printing and this work will be started in the near future.
10. Permission has also been received from IOC/HPC/BPC for putting up L-Xing Safety posters at retail petrol pumps. These posters are presently under printing and this work will also be started in the near future.
11. An intensive campaign through Public address system has been launched to sensitize the public about the dangers from explosive and need to maintain extreme vigilance regarding unclaimed/unattended objects.
12. Intensive publicity is carried out through television quickles, advertisements in the National and local press to educate the public against the hazards of carrying inflammable material in their luggage.