Question : AIR BRAKE SYSTEM

(a) whether passenger trains under various railway zones are run by the general vacuum and air brake system as on date;

(b) if so, the number of passenger/mail and express trains run by general vacuum and air brake system, zone-wise;

(c) whether the Government propose to convert the passenger mail/express trains running by the general vacuum system into air brake system;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the funds earmarked under the railway safety fund in this regard;

(e) the time by which all the passenger mail/express trains are liokely to be converted into the air brake system;and

(f) if not, the purpose of having railway safety fund?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the Sabha.

(c) & (d): Indian Railways are converting vacuum brake system in coaches to air braked system in a phased manner subject to availability of resources. Railway safety fund is not meant for this purpose.

(e): Conversion of existing Coaching stock of vacuum brake system to air brake is expected to be completed by March, 2005, subject to availability of resources.

(f): Railway safety fund is utilised for replacement of overaged assets such as track, bridges, rolling stock etc.