Question : TRAIN ACCIDENTS

(a) the details of each minor and major train accident separately that happened in the country since July 2005, till date;

(b) the detailed reasons for each such accident, separately;

(c) the details of loss of lives and property `thereof;

(d) the compensation given to victims and their kith and kin by the Government in each accident;

(e) the details of inquiries ordered, their findings and the action taken / to be taken against the officials / persons found guilty in each such accident separately; and

(f) the measures taken by the Government to avert such accidents?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a) to (f): A Statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.423 BY S/SHRI BRAJESH PATHAK, SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN, THAWARCHAND GEHLOT, UDAY SINGH, KAMLA PRASAD RAWAT, M RAJA MOHAN REDDY, RAGHURAJ SINGH SHAKYA, DALPAT SINGH PARSTE, A SAI PRATHAP, S.K. KHARVENTHAN, DR. K. DHANARAJU, CHANDRA BHUSHAN SINGH, TEK LAL MAHTO, KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, P KARUNAKARAN, BADIGA RAMAKRISHNA, SHRIMATI JAYAPRADA, VIRENDRA KUMAR, PRABHUNATH SINGH AND MOHD. SHAHID TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24-11-2005 REGARDING TRAIN ACCIDENTS.

(a) to (d): The details including cause, deaths and injuries, and cost of damage to Railway property in 78 consequential train accidents that occurred on Indian Railways from 1.7.2005 to 31.10.2005 are as per Annexure. No compensation has so far been paid to any victim in any of above accidents.

(e): Of these, 78 consequential train accidents, 9 have been taken up for statutory inquiry by the Commissioners of Railway Safety, and rest 69 have been taken up for Departmental inquiries. Details of enquiry findings and action taken thereon are awaited.

(f): Safety is the prime concern of Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continuing basis to prevent accidents. These measures include the adoption of suitable modern technologies for interlocking and signaling systems, up- gradation of standards of track and rolling stock, modernization of maintenance practices, checksd on observance of safety precautions and provision of anti-collision device. A Corporate Safety Plan (2003-2013) has been prepared and is being followed.