Question : RAILWAY BOGIES

(a) whether the shortage of coaches is likely to jeopardize the safety of passengers in Railways;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the old coaches are subjected to periodic overhaul and also put through a mid-life rehabilitation;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the procedure for replacement age of the bogies used in the Railways; and

(e) whether the Railways have any proposal to increase the speed of existing long route trains in the country and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b) At present, adequate number of coaches has been provided for running passenger carrying trains to their scheduled compositions.

(c) Yes, Madam.

(d) Periodic overhauling of all the coaches within its codal life is done in the workshops at prescribed intervals. Besides, identified coaches are also given mid-life rehabilitation after attaining 12-15 years of life and complete interior furnishings are replaced.

Replacement age of the coaches is decided based on codal provision or applicable instructions issued by Railway Board and is generally based on the type of construction material used in coaches.

(e) Speeding up of trains is a constant endeavor and continuous process on Indian Railways and is dependent on constant optimization of the investments made by Railways in modernization of technology, high powered locos, modern coaches and better tracks.