(a) whether people are killed on rail tracks after being hit by trains;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
(c) the year-wise and zone-wise number of such accidents that took place during the last three years; and
(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 200 BY SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY AND SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 18.07.2018 REGARDING ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES ON RAIL TRACKS
(a) and (b): During the last three years, 49790 persons died on rail tracks after being hit by trains. Deaths on Railway tracks occur due to trespassing, violating safety and cautionary instructions, avoiding over bridges, using mobile phones and other electronic gadgets while crossing Railway tracks etc.
(c): The year-wise and zone-wise number of incidents, in which people died on rail tracks after being hit by trains during the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 over Indian Railways, is appended.
(d): The following corrective measures have been taken by the Railways to prevent accidental deaths on Railway track:-
i. Regular announcements are made through Passenger Address System at Railway stations urging passengers to use foot over bridges (FOBs) and to avoid crossing of railway tracks.
ii. Various awareness campaigns are organized by Railways to sensitize passengers about the fatalities of crossing railway tracks, foot-board/ roof-top travelling, boarding/de-boarding running trains etc.
iii. Regular drives are conducted against trespassing, travelling on foot-board, steps, roof top of trains, boarding/de-boarding running trains and the persons apprehended are prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Railways Act, 1989.
iv. Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed on locations vulnerable for trespassing.
v. Erection of boundary wall/fencing at identified locations, vulnerable to trespass.
vi. Warning sign boards are provided at conspicuous places for the awareness of passengers.
vii. Worst affected stations, sections and spots are identified. Joint Committee of officers of various branches of Railways at Divisional level are formed to take action to reduce accidental deaths on Railways.
viii. Unauthorized trespassing on Railway premises including the Railway track is a punishable offence under section 147 of the Railways Act, 1989. During the year 2017, a total of 173112 persons have been prosecuted for trespassing over Indian Railways.
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