(a) whether the Government has taken serious note of the recent robbery in Duranto Express by armed robbers near Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the manner in which the signaling system has been tampered with and the reasons for RPF personnel not deployed/ present in the train at the time of the incident; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for the train passengers’ safety and security along with the compensation, if any, to the victims?
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. 581 BY SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI) AND DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.02.2019 REGARDING CRIME/ROBBERY IN TRAINS
(a): Yes, Madam. On 17.01.2019 at about 03.25 hrs, an incident of robbery by 3-4 miscreants was reported in B-3 coach of train No. 12266 Jammu Tawi – Delhi Sarai Rohilla Duronto Express between Holambi Kalan and Badli Railway stations over Delhi Division of Northern Railway. Government Railway Police/Sabzi Mandi/Delhi has registered a case vide Crime No. 01/2019 u/s 392 & 34 Indian Penal Code against unknown persons. Special teams of Police have been formed to detect the case.
(b): The Signal System was thoroughly checked and it was found functioning properly. Data logger report showed that one track circuit bobbed from 3:23:59 to 3:24:01 and again from 3:24:25 to 3:34:06. It is suspected that it is a case of outside interference with Track Circuit. The train No. 12266 Duronto Express was not escorted by Railway Protection Force as it has only one stoppage en-route and no such incident has been reported in this train during the last four years. However, after the incident, RPF personnel have been deployed in the train for escorting to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
(c): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP to provide better protection and security of passenger area & passengers and for matters connected therewith.
Besides, the following steps are also being taken by the Government for train passengers’ safety and security:-
1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, 2500 trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily in addition to 2200 trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at about 453 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
3. Security Help Line number 182 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
4. Through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security and address their security concerns.
5. An Integrated Security System (ISS) consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television Camera Network, Access Control etc. has been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
6. All Railway Stations and passenger carrying trains are planned to be progressively provided with CCTV based surveillance system and Wi-Fi facility.
7. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
8. Surprise checks are conducted in trains to ensure security of passengers and alertness of trains escorting staff .
9. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
10. Regular coordination is made with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.
Railways’ liability for compensation for death or injury of railway passengers in untoward incidents (robbery) is laid down in Section 124A read with section 123 of Railways Act, 1989. Admissibility of compensation is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed by claimants before them. Railway Administration is liable to pay compensation to rail passengers only when a decree is awarded by Hon’ble RCT in favour of the claimant.
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