Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Over-aged Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## OVER-AGED RAILWAY TRACKS

*138. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of over-aged railway tracks, bridges, wagons, coaches and signalling systems separately in the Railways;

(b) whether the Railways proposes to replace them with new ones; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 138 BY SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  27.12.2017  REGARDING  OVER-AGED RAILWAY TRACKS (a) to (c) Railway tracks are replaced through Track Renewal Works, which is an ongoing process. Track Renewal Works are undertaken as and when stretch of track becomes due for renewal on the basis of criteria  laid  down  in  Indian  Railway  Permanent  Way  Manual  on age/condition basis viz. traffic carried in terms of gross million tonnes, incidence  of  rail  fracture/failure,  wear  of  rails,  corrosion  of  rails, maintainability  of  track  as  per  standards,  etc  except  Meter  Gauge (MG)  track  and  Narrow  Gauge  (NG)  track  which  are  sanctioned  for Gauge conversion. Track Renewal Works are planned in advance every year  and  their  execution  is  prioritized  according  to  the  condition  of track and various other factors ensuring all the time that track is in a sound condition for safe running of trains. In case any stretch of track is  not  renewed  in  time  due  to  various  reasons,  suitable  speed restrictions, if required are imposed to ensure safe running of trains. As  on  01.04.2017,  7546  km  of  track  length  on  Indian  Railways  is sanctioned for renewal. Budget Outlay for the year 2017-18 for track renewal is ₹ 9960 Crore and a target of 3600 km for track renewal has been kept. Repair/strengthening/rehabilitation/rebuilding of bridges is a continuous process on Indian Railways and is undertaken whenever so warranted  by  their  physical  condition  as  ascertained  during  regular inspection  by  the  designated  officials.  During  the  last  five  years (2012-13 to 2016-17), 3675 railway bridges have been on repair/ year is

strengthened/rehabilitated/rebuilt on Indian Railways. As 01.04.2017, 3017 bridges are sanctioned for strengthening/rehabilitation/rebuilding. Budget  Outlay  for the 2017-18 for bridge repair/strengthening/rehabilitation/rebuilding ₹ 746 Crore and a target for bridge is 800.

There  were  total  3059  over-aged  wagons  on  Indian  Railways  as  on 31.03.2017. Disposal of over-aged wagons and their replacement is a regular  process under which the over-aged wagons are assessed for their  condition  and  decision  is  taken  for  their  condemnation  and disposal.  Accordingly,  over-aged  wagons  are  assessed  and  suitable decision taken as part of the continuing process.

As  on  31.03.2017,  there  were  959  over-aged  main-line  coaches  on Indian Railways. However, over-aged coaches are utilized for services other than passenger service after completing their codal life. Replacement of coaches on age cum condition basis is a continuous process.  Systems  are  in  place  for  production  of  required  number  of coaches for replacement of over-aged coaches. As on date number of coaches (EMU & Metro type) having more than codal life is Total-188 (EMU-121, Kolkata Metro-67).  As per codal provision, the prescribed life  is  only  for  the  purpose  of  general  guidance  to  make  broad assessments  for  planning  and  replacements;  coaches  however  are condemned and withdrawn from service only on the basis of condition and  intensity  of  utilization.  Old  EMU  and  metro  coaches  are  being replaced on age cum condition basis with new coaches manufactured at  Integral  coach  factory,  Chennai  &  Trade  for  which  three  year production  program for  year  2017-18,  2018-19  and  2019-20  has  been issued. Replacement  of  over-aged  Signalling  System  in  Railways  with  new Multiple Aspect Colure Light Signalling System (MACLS) and Electronic/Panel/Route Relay Interlocking System is being carried out progressively on age cum condition basis. A total 235 Nos. of stations are  remaining  with  Semaphore  Signals  as  on  31.03.2017.  These  are targeted  for  replacement  with  Panel/Electronic  Interlocking  or  Route Relay Interlocking in next three years. *****