(a) whether three trains caught fire at Puri Railway Station under mysterious circumstances recently and if so, the facts thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry to look into the causes of the fire and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the loss suffered by the Railways on this count; and
(d) the action taken by the Government to prevent such incident in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RELY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2867 BY SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM AND SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.12.2015 REGARDING FIRE AT PURI RAILWAY STATION
(a): On 12.11.2015, Train no. 12816 Nandankanan Express (3 coaches), Train no.17480 Tirupati-Puri Express (4 coaches) and train no. 12838 Puri-Howrah Express (1 Coach) were involved in fire incidents at different platforms of Puri station of East Coast Railway.
(b): Departmental inquiry was conducted into these incidents and the committee concluded that fire incidents were due to miscreant activity.
(c): The loss to Railway property is 105 lakhs.
(d): Following measures are being under taken to prevent recurrence of such cases in future:-
(i) Security arrangements at important and vulnerable stations are reviewed and appropriate measures are being taken to strengthen security arrangements.
(ii) Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are deployed round the clock at yard/coaching complex/washing line of Puri and other important railway stations to prevent entry of unauthorized and criminal elements.
(iii) Movements are being closely monitored through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and prompt actions are taken against anti-social elements.
(iv) Checking of passenger luggage by baggage scanner.
(v) Platforms and trains are being checked frequently by dog squad.
(vi) Close coordination with Government Railway Police (GRP)/Local Police and other State and Central intelligence agencies to prevent such incidents in future.
(vii) Proper closing of doors and windows of empty rakes on platforms and yard is being ensured.
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