MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 665 BY SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO AND SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 19.07.2017 REGARDING TRAIN ACCIDENTS.
(a) to (c): Zone-wise details of number of consequential train accidents i.e. collisions, derailments, manned level crossing/unmanned level crossing, fire and miscellaneous and number of persons killed and injured therein during the last six months i.e. from 1st January, 2017 to 30th June, 2017 are Appended.
The amount of compensation given to the next of kin of the deceased and injured in train accidents, derailments and accidents at level crossings was ?102,66,652/- from 01.01.2017 to 30.06.2017.
(Note: The compensation paid in a year need not necessarily relate to the accidents/casualties in that year alone. This amount depends upon the number of cases which are finalized in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident they pertain to, have occurred.)
Cost of damage in these consequential train accidents during the last six months i.e. from 1st January, 2017 to 30th June, 2017 is ?6.26 Crore (Approx.).
(d): All consequential train accidents on Indian Railways are inquired into either by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation or Departmental Inquiry Committee of the Railway. During the last six months i.e. from 1st January, 2017 to 30th June, 2017, a total of 29 consequential train accidents (including incidents at unmanned level crossings due to negligence of road vehicle users) occurred on Indian Railways. Based on the enquiry reports, out of the 29 train accidents, 25 have been investigated, of these 12 accidents were attributed to failure of railway staff, 10 were on failure of other than railway staff, 01 on sabotage, 01 Equipment failure and 01 on incidental factor.
(e) : Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis including up-gradation of technology to aid safe running of trains. These include replacement of over-aged assets, elimination of unmanned level crossings, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signalling and interlocking systems, safety drives, greater emphasis on training of officials and inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. Safety devices/systems used to prevent accidents include complete track circuiting, provision of Block Proving Axle Counters (BPAC), Train Protection Warning Systems (TPWS), Colour Light LED Signals, Vigilance Control Device (VCD), usage of 60 kg rails and Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers, long rail panels, better welding technology, digital types of machines for ultrasonic flaw detection (USFD), electronic monitoring of tracks using track recording cars (TRC) and portable oscillation monitoring system (OMS), progressive use of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches, Centre Buffer Coupler with Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Coaches, etc. Other measures include training of loco pilots and other safety category staff, improvement of their working conditions including proper rest and periodic medical examinations etc. Besides, periodic safety drives, inspections as per laid down schedules, patrolling of tracks, footplate inspections and safety reviews at various levels are regularly conducted to continuously monitor and improve safety aspects of the Railways.
Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of the GRP in providing better protection and security to passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith. Steps initiated by the Railways for security over Railways, in coordination with Government Railway Police of respective States include escorting of trains, access control, operationalisation of round the clock Security Helpline numbers 182 & 1800111322, surveillance at about 344 Railway stations through close circuit television cameras etc. Regular coordination is also being made with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as running trains.
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