MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) to (h) A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.838 BY SHRI PADAMSEN CHOUDHRY, SHRI SADASHIVRAO DADOBA
MANDLIK, SHRI RAMJI LAL SUMAN, SHRI ZORA SINGH MANN, SHRI NARESH
PUGLIA, SHRIMATI MINATI SEN AND SHRIMATI SHYAMA SINGH TO BE ANSWERED
IN LOK SABHA ON 23.11.2000 REGARDING TRAIN ACCIDENTS.
(a) to (d) During the period from 01.08.2000 to 15.11.2000,
there was no major accident. The zone-wise details of consequential
train accidents during this period is attached as Annexure. During
the period number of consequential train accidents has decreased
from 159 in 1999-2000 to 154 in 2000-2001.
Each and every accident is inquired either by a Committee of
Railway Officers or in case of serious accidents by
Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety. Out of 154 cases,
7 cases were inquired by Commissioner of Railway Safety. As per the
findings of the inquiry committees the reason for the above
accidents are as follows :-
(i) Failure of Railway staff 74
(ii) Failure of persons other than Railway 27
staff
(iii)Material/Equipment failure 6
(vi)Sabotage 2
(v) Combination of factor -
(vi) Incidental 7
(vii)Under investigation 38
Details of persons killed and injured in these accidents are given below:
Passenger Others Railway Total Staff
Killed - 43# 1 44+ Injured 56 40 4 100@
@ Figures are provisional
# Most of the casualty is due to negligence of road users at unmanned level crossings.
Value of Government property damaged Rs.12.33 Crores (Provisional)
The staff held responsible according to findings of inquiry
committees have been taken up under Discipline and Appeal Rules.
(e) No compensation has been paid to the victims for accidents
which occurred between 1.8.2000 to 31.10.2000, so far. Compensation
is paid after claims are decreed by Railway Claims Tribunals.
(f) The important steps taken by the Government to check accidents
in future are listed below :-
i) Fouling Mark to Fouling Mark (FM to FM) track circuiting on
entire ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘D Spl.’ routes where speed is more
than 75 kmph. have been completed. Remaining portion of the work is
under progress.
ii) Modification of the signalling circuitry is being carried out
to minimise chances of human error in causing accidents.
iii) Auxiliary Warning System for giving advance warning about
‘Signal at danger’ to the driver of the running train has been
commissioned on Mumbai suburban sections of Mumbai.
iv) A pilot project of AWS on trial basis for Tughlakabad-Mathura
section of Central Railway is being launched on trial basis. The
tender for the same has been invited.
v) Last vehicle check by Axle Counter have been introduced on over
150 block sections and is being progressively added.
vi) State of the art technology of Digital Mobile Train Radio
Communication has been sanctioned on some important sections for
providing duplex radio communication between driver/guard and
control.
vii) Walkie-talkie sets have been provided to Drivers and Guards of
all trains for faster and better means of communication.
viii) Drivers and Guards are also being progressively provided
with LED based electronic flashing lamps which have better
visibility than the conventional kerosene lit hand signal lamps.
ix) There has been progressive increase in use of Tie Tamping and
ballast cleaning machines for track maintenance. Also, Track Renewal
Trains are being used.
x) For monitoring track geometry and running characteristics of
the track, sophisticated track recording cars, oscillograph cars and
portable accelerometers are being used progressively.
xi) For detection of rail fractures/weld failures, adequate double
rail Ultrasonic Flaw detectors have been procured. Now Self
Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing Cars are being procured.
xii) Maintenance facilities for coaches and wagons have been
modernised and upgraded at many depots.
xiii) Routine Over Hauling Depots have been equipped with
ultrasonic testing equipment for detection of flaws in the axles so
as to prevent cases of cold breakage of axles.
xiv) Funds being received from the diesel cess will be used for
safety related works pertaining to level crossings.
xv) Whistle Boards/speed breakers and road signs have been provided
at unmanned level crossings and visibility for drivers has been
improved.
xvi) Audio-visual publicity campaigns to educate road users on how
to make a safe crossing are conducted.
xvii) Level Crossings having heavy traffic density are being
progressively interlocked with signals on a planned basis.
xviii) Steps have been taken to prevent inflammable and explosive
materials from being carried in passenger trains.
xix) Periodical Safety Audit of Different Divisions by inter-
disciplinary teams from Zonal Headquarters has been introduced.
xx) Training facilities for drivers, guards and staff connected
with train operation have been modernised including use of
Simulators for training of drivers.
xxi) Performance of the staff connected with train operation is
being constantly monitored and those found deficient are sent for
crash training courses also.
xxii) Periodical safety drives are conducted to inculcate safety
consciousness among the staff and road users.
xxiii) A pilot project of Anti Collision Device (ACD) has been
sanctioned for Northeast Frontier Railway. Trial of prototype ACD
equipment has been started. After successful completion of this
pilot project, a decision would be taken for its application on
other routes of Indian Railways.
xxiv) Stringent penalty to the extent of dismissal/removal
from service is being imposed on officials causing serious
accidents.
(g) The Supreme Court has directed Ministry of Railways (respondent)
to submit a chart indicating various reports, which have been
submitted relating to the rail accidents, the recommendations made
therein and action taken thereon. If no action has been taken
pursuant to the acceptance of recommendations, explanation has to be
given therefor.
(h) The requisite information regarding the status of various
Committee reports has been submitted to the Government Advocate who
is pleading the case, for its submission with the Supreme Court.
(Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha
Unstarred Question No.838 for 23.11.2000)
Annexure
Consequential Train Accidents During 1/8/2000 and 15/11/2000
Railway CR ER NR NER NFR SR SCR SER WR MTP KRC Total
Passe 1 1 1 3
1 Collision nger
Others 1 2 3 Total 2 1 1 2 6
Passe 6 4 4 7 16 7 4 7 3 2 60
2 Derail nger ment Others 6 3 6 22 6 6 7 1 2 59 Total 12 7 10 7 39 13 10 14 4 4 119
3 L-Xing Gates Passe 1 1 1 3
I Manned nger Others Total 1 1 1 3
Passe 5 5 3 2 2 2 19
II Unmanned nger Others 1 1 2 Total 1 5 5 3 2 3 2 21
Passe 1 6 6 3 2 2 2 22 Total nger Others 1 1 2 Total 2 6 6 3 2 3 2 24
Passe 2 2
4 Fire in nger Train Others 1 1 2
Total 3 1 4
Passe 1 1 Miscella nger neous Others Total 1 1
Passe 10 4 11 13 19 10 7 9 3 2 88
5 Grand nger Total Others 9 3 6 22 6 7 9 1 3 66
Total 19 7 17 13 41 16 14 18 4 5 154
