(a) whether there has been an increase in accidental deaths while boarding and de-boarding of express as well as local trains in recent months;
(b) if so, the number of deaths during the last two years and the current year; and
(c) the proposed plan of the Government to minimise accidental deaths in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1173 BY SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK AND SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 23.11.2016 REGARDING ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
(a) & (b): No, Madam. There is decrease in accidental deaths while boarding and de-boarding of express as well as local trains. The number of persons died in such accidents have decreased from 1124 in year 2014 to 1083 in 2015 and further to 879 in the year 2016 (upto October).
(c): The following steps are being taken by the Railways to minimise such accidental deaths:-
i. Regular announcements are being made through Passenger Address System at Railway stations urging passengers not to board or de-board the moving trains.
ii. Various awareness campaigns are organized by Railways to sensitize the passengers about the dangers of foot-board/ roof-top travelling, boarding/de-boarding running trains etc.
iii. Drives are conducted against the persons travelling on foot-board, steps, roof top of trains, boarding/de-boarding running trains and the persons apprehended are prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Railways Act, 1989.
iv. The height of platforms is raised at few identified Railway stations to prevent accidental deaths during boarding/de-boarding of trains.
v. Provision of Automatic entrance doors has been planned on coaches to prevent accidental falling of passengers from running trains. Sanction for provision of the same on 425 coaches has already been taken.
vi. One air-conditioned EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) rake with Automatic doors, similar to Metro coaches for Mumbai/Western Railway, has been manufactured at ICF (Integral Coach Factory)/Chennai.
vii. ICF has turned out coaches for Kolkata Metro with Automatic door closure Mechanism.
viii. Automatic entrance doors have also been provided in the design of coaches of Tejas train service. Manufacturing of first such rake has been started at Rail Coach Factory/Kapurthala.
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