Question : Anti-Fog System

(a) whether the Railways has conducted safety audit of Indian Railways and decided to implement the Anil Kakodkar committee report on safety;
(b) if so, the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken;
(c) the manner and extent to which the safety in the Railways will be enhanced after implementing the recommendations;
(d) whether the Railways has now started installing anti-fog devices in a few trains and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Railways has also decided to install a full-fledged GPS-driven anti-fog system on its northern and eastern routes and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b): With a view to go into all technical and technology related aspects in connection with safe running of train services in the country, the High Level Safety Review Committee (Kakodkar Committee) was constituted by the Ministry of Railways on 16.09.2011. The report submitted by the Committee has since been examined and of the 106 recommendations, 68 recommendations have been found fully acceptable, 19 partially acceptable and 19 non-acceptable. Steps have been initiated by the Ministry to implement the accepted recommendations and 22 recommendations have already been implemented.
(c): The Committee in its report has laid down a road-map for improving safety in respect of Signaling systems, Rolling Stock, Fixed Structures like tracks, bridges and level crossings, Human Resource Development, Improvements in procedural system and Safety Infrastructure on Indian Railways.
Although safety is an ongoing multi-disciplinary exercise, implementation of the recommendations of the Kakodkar Committee may enhance the safety margins as the works recommended by the Committee are directed towards enhancement of asset reliability like tracks and bridges, modernization and upgradation of rolling stock, emphasis on education and training of staff, augmentation of line capacity, prevention of sabotage, induction of latest technology etc.
(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. A Global Positioning System (GPS) based ‘FOG PASS’ device which displays the name and distance of approaching signals and other critical landmarks in advance during poor visibility condition has been developed and is on trial. This is a portable equipment issued to Loco Pilots while working trains during fog season, not fitted permanently on Locomotives.
1381 Nos. of Fog Pass device has been implemented on Northern (1017), North Eastern (240) and North Western (124) Railways on trial basis.
Further provisioning on 5000 Nos. of Fog Pass device is proposed in Railway Budget 2016-17, for fog affected region of Northern and North Eastern area.
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