Question : IMPORT OF TRACK DETECTING MACHINE

(a) whether the Railways have no arrangements to check the tracks with the help of machines due to which large amount of time is taken for carrying out this work;

(b) if so, whether the Government propose to import latest ultrasonic rail flaw detection machines for carrying out said checks;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the time by which these machines are likely to be made available;

(e) the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon;

(f) whether the Railways have picked up a project involving research in the field of fault detection; and propagation; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH KUMAR)

(a) to (g): A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 161 BY DR. ASHOK PATEL AND SHRI T.M. SELVAGANAPATHI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2003 REGARDING IMPORT OF TRACK DETECTIN MACHINE.

(a): No, Sir. The ultrasonic testing of track is being done with the help of USFD (Ultrasonic Flaw Detection) machines, which are operated manually. In addition, one Self Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing (SPURT) car has also been deployed for this purpose.

(b) to (e): Global tender for procurement of two SPURT cars at an estimated cost of Rs.35 crores is presently under consideration of the Railways. The machines are likely to be supplied within 13 1/2 months after placement of order.

(f) to (g): The International Union of Railways (UIC) has taken up a research project on `Rail Defect Management`. Indian Railways is also participating in this project alongwith some other Railways. Indian Railways has been assigned the work of various laboratory tests related to this project.