Question : Walls along the Tracks

(a) the total number of people who lost their lives after being hit by trains during last three years, year and State-wise;

(b) whether the Government plans to identify and build fences along the tracks where the area is crowded and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Railways has also decided to build a wall to keep trespassers away from tracks in residential areas and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether it is a fact that the Standing Committee on Railways in its ‘Safety and Security in Railways’ report observed that Railways have failed in maintaining safety standards of the rail tracks; and

(e) if so, whether recommendations of the Committee have been implemented by Railways, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(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. 2890 BY SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY, SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL AND SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2019 REGARDING WALLS ALONG THE TRACKS

(a): The zone-wise details of number of people who lost their lives after being hit by trains during the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 over Indian Railways are appended.

(b) and (c): Ministry of Railways has planned to construct boundary wall/fencing at vulnerable locations, densely populated areas and approaches of major railway stations to guard tracks from cattle crossing and to prevent unauthorized trespassing & encroachments. During the financial year 2018-19, Ministry of Railways has sanctioned works worth ` 3,150 cr. for provision of boundary wall at identified vulnerable locations and their approaches to safeguard track, prevent encroachment and to improve safety of track over Indian Railways.

(d): With respect to an accident of one train, the committee had made such observation.

(e): Track renewal is an ongoing process which is undertaken as and when a stretch of track becomes due for renewal on age-cum-condition basis. Track renewal works are planned in advance every year and their execution is prioritized according to the condition of track and overall availability of funds ensuring all the time that track is in a sound condition for safe running of trains.

The committee observed that the targets kept for track renewals are not commensurate with the actual requirement on ground and recommended that the Ministry to keep their targets realistic keeping in view the annual requirement for track renewals. Accordingly, targets for track renewals have been increased over last four years.

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