Question : Train Accidents

(a) whether the number of rail accidents have increased across the country during the current year as compared to the previous years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, zone/State-wise and the reasons therefor along with the number of passengers killed/injured in such accidents during the said period;

(c) the mechanism put in place by the Government to ensure payment of compensation within the stipulated time to the injured and the next of kin of the deceased after such accidents;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in such accidents;

(e) if so, the details and outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to keep a check on rail accidents across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 919 BY SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA, SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR, SHRI B. SRIRAMULU, SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV, SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY, SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRI ANTO ANTONY, SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE, DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA, SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI, SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI, SHRI D.K. SURESH, SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE, SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR, SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI, SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY, SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA, SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR, SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY, SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO, SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA, SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE, SHRIMATI ANJU BALA, SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM, SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL, SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR, DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD, SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO, SHRI SATAV RAJEEV, DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN, SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE, SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI, DR. SHASHI THAROOR, DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SHRI RAMEN DEKA, SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY, SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL, SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI, PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD, SHRI NAGAR RODMAL AND SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2017 REGARDING TRAIN ACCIDENTS
(a): No, Madam. In the current financial year, the number of consequential train accidents upto 30th November, 2017 have decreased from 85 in 2016-17 to 49 in 2017-18.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): Compensation for death/inquiry of Railway passengers in train accidents as defined in Section 124 of the Railways Act, 1989, is decided by Railways Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed before them. Railway Administration is liable to pay compensation only when a decree is awarded by Hon’ble RCT is favour of the claimant and Railways decide to implement the decree. The compensation awarded by RCT and decided to be satisfied by Railways, is paid directly in the bank account of the applicant through National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)/Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).

(d) & (e): Each and every consequential train accident is inquired into either by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation or by the Departmental Inquiry Committee of Railway to ascertain the actual factor responsible for such accidents. Based on the findings as contained in accident inquiry reports and/or is currently available as prima-facie cause, out of the 49 train accidents, 30 accidents were caused due to failure of Railway staff, 12 due to failure on the part of other than Railway staff, 04 due to Incidental factors and 01 accident occurred due to combination of factors and inquiry report in 01 case is awaited. Out of these 30 accidents caused due to failure of Railway staff, disciplinary action has been initiated against 76 Railway employees. After finalization of the Disciplinary proceedings, penalties as per the prescribed norms shall be imposed against the staff found guilty.
(f): Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis including upgradation 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 safer Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches. Existing Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Coaches are being provided with central buffer coupler to have enhanced safety features. 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.

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