Question : Preparation for Safety in Monsoon Season

(a) whether the Railways has geared up its machinery to ensure safe railway operation during the current monsoon season and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Railway Board has sent instructions to all zonal railways to do necessary preparedness and undertake appropriate precaution to ensure safe railway operation;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the zonal railways in this regard;

(d) the number of trains cancelled and delayed during the current monsoon season along with the reasons therefor; and

(e) the details of arrangements made by the Railways for the convenience of passengers in the event of cancellation/postponement of trains?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. In terms of the existing codal provisions, Railway Board has already advised all Zonal Railways to take necessary monsoon precautions during the monsoon season for safe train operations.

Zonal Railways have also taken appropriate measures accordingly and issued detailed instructions to all its divisions to this effect. The measures taken include Monsoon Patrolling in identified sections, identification of vulnerable locations and deployment of stationary watchmen at such locations, joint inspection of Railway Affecting Works (canals, reservoirs, tanks etc.) with concerned State Government Authorities, keeping adequate monsoon reserves such as boulders, quarry dust, relieving girders etc. at suitable locations and loaded in wagons for early restoration of the affected sites, maintaining close liaison with local authorities for monitoring of excess release of water from reservoir/dams, maintaining close liaison with the concerned Regional Meteorological Centres for updated weather information, regular cleaning of side drains and catch water drains etc.

(d): During the current monsoon season, 49 Mail/Express services have been cancelled and 382 Mail/Express services delayed due to heavy rains.

(e): In case of cancellation/postponement of trains the following arrangements are made:

• facility of full refund

• announcement at stations

• enquiry on train running, rescheduled/cancelled trains can be accessed through National Train Enquiry System (website/telephone), mobile application and face to face at station level.
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