Lok Sabha Question No. 3883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Konkan Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## KONKAN RAILWAY TRACKS

†3883.   SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government, after successful run of the swanky and high-speed Tejas Express is considering for Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to get a major facelift and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways are aware of the poor condition of Railway tracks specially during the monsoon season and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a number of accidents were caused due to poor condition of rail tracks during the last three years and if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (d) whether any inquiry has been conducted by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof and its outcome;
- (e) whether  the  Safety  Commissioner  of  Railways  has  warned  about  the traffic on Konkan Railway route and if so, the details of action taken by the Railways thereon; and
- (f) the  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  for  the  safety  of  Railway  tracks  and passengers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3883  BY  SHRI  DHARMENDRA  YADAV, SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE, SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRI ANANDRAO  ADSUL,  SHRI  NAGENDRA  KUMAR  PRADHAN  AND  DR. SHRIKANT  EKNATH  SHINDE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 09.08.2017 REGARDING KONKAN RAILWAY TRACKS

(a):    Rajdhani  and  Shatabdi  trains  are  premium  trains.  Most  of  these trains are run on the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) type coaches, which are of a superior design, as compared to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF)  type  coaches.  However,  with  the  objective  of  enhancing  the passenger experience on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, the Ministry of Railways  has  decided  to  take  various  steps  to  further  improve  the coach  interiors  and  toilets  on  a  pilot  basis  on  a  few  Rajdhani  and Shatabdi trains.

(b): The track on Konkan Railway Route is regularly maintained to the required safety standards.  During monsoon season, in addition to the regular inspection of tracks, special monsoon patrolling is introduced and Konkan Railway deploy about 780 number of men for this purpose.

(c):  Details  of  total  number  of  train  accidents  on  account  of  track defect is as under:-

| Year                     |   Total number ntial |   of conseque train accidents Number of consequent ial train accidents on account of track defect | No. of consequential train accidents on account of track defect in combination with other departments   |   Total No. of train accidents on account of track defect |   % Share |
|--------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| 2014-15                  |                  135 |                                                                                                21 | 6                                                                                                       |                                                        27 |     20    |
| 2015-16                  |                  107 |                                                                                                24 | 11                                                                                                      |                                                        35 |     32.7  |
| 2016-17                  |                  104 |                                                                                                34 | 4                                                                                                       |                                                        38 |     36.5  |
| 2017-18 (up to 30/06/17) |                   15 |                                                                                                01 | -                                                                                                       |                                                        01 |      6.67 |

(d): All consequential  train  accidents  are  investigated  either by Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety  (CRS)  under  the  Ministry  of  Civil Aviation  or  by  the  Departmental  Inquiry  Committees  on  the  Zonal Railways depending upon severity of the accident.

(e):  The  Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety  (CRS)  conducts  an  Annual Safety Inspection on Konkan Railway (KR) route every year before the onset  of  monsoon.  Any  deficiency  pointed  out  by  Commissioner  of Railway Safety is taken cognizance and complied. The shortcomings pointed out by CRS have either been complied or action plan for long term item have been made.

(f):  In  addition  to  regular  inspection  and  maintenance  of  track, measures have been taken to ensure safe running of trains in respect of  track  maintenance  which  include  Ultrasonic  test  of  rail  as  per prescribed frequency, replacement of 252 km of rail with 260 m long rail panel, Completion of Geo-safety works like Flattening/lowering of cutting  at  101  identified  locations,  round  the  year  patrolling  in  all unsupported  tunnels,  posting  of  stationery  watchman  at  identified locations and Cold weather patrolling during winter season. Additional  measures  are  taken  to  ensure  safety  of  trains  during Monsoon  season  which  include  Implementation  of  Monsoon  Time Table from 10th June  to  31st  October,  Reduction  in  Maximum Permissible Speed to 75/90 kmph, Inspections of cuttings by various Pway Official before onset of Monsoon and also during monsoon, Round the  clock  posting  of  Watchman  in  vulnerable  cuttings,  Imposition  of speed restriction at vulnerable cuttings, Monsoon patrolling from June to October, and Night inspections by inspecting officials.

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