Lok Sabha Question No. 3866 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Safety Measures to Avoid Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3866 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## SAFETY MEASURES TO AVOID ACCIDENTS

## 3866.     SHRI RAYAPATI  SAMBASIVA RAO : SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  for  use  of  state-of-the-art technology to bring in more safety measures to avert accidents in the near future;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of mechanism in place to ensure proper maintenance of safety and security systems by the Railways; and
- (d) the success rate of the Ministry of Railways when it comes to ensure safety and security of the trains  and  averting  accidents  in the last one year?

## ANSWER

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. 3866 BY SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO AND SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK  SABHA  ON  09.08.2017  REGARDING  SAFETY  MEASURES  TO AVOID ACCIDENTS

(a)  to  (c):      Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  by  Indian Railways. All possible steps including induction of latest technology are undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents  and  enhance  safety.    Technologies  which  have  been adopted  or  are  currently  under  induction  into  the  railway  system include  provision  of  track  circuiting  at  stations,  provision  of  Axle Counters for Block Section Clearance (BPAC), Electronic Interlocking systems, Interlocking of Level crossing gates, Auxiliary Warning System (AWS), Vigilance Control Device (VCD) in locomotives,  LED  based  colour  light  signals,  Train  Protection  and Warning System (TPWS), Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Fog Safe Device (FSD), TRINETRA for better visibility in foggy/inclement  weather  conditions,  use  of  60  Kg  rails  and  Prestressed  Concrete  Sleepers  (PSC),  long  welded  rail  panels  (LWR), Thick Web Switches in turnouts, Digital Ultrasonic Flaw Detection machines  for  detection  of  rail  defects,  electronic  monitoring  of tracks  using  Track  Recording  Cars  (PRC).    ICF  coaches  are  being gradually phased out and new design light weight modern technology LHB coaches are being introduced in a phased manner during  the  next  five  years.    Technological  upgradation  in  safety aspect of coaches and wagons by way of introducing CBC couplers, Bogie  Mounted  Air  Brake  System  (BMBS),  improved  suspension design  are  also  being  carried  out  which  would  eventually  lead  to enhanced safety standards.  Apart from these components, Indian Railways is also installing Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILD), online Centralised Bearing Monitoring System (CBMS) etc. in a phased manner to improve safety of coaches and wagons.  IR is gradually moving towards automated monitoring condition of rolling assets in coaches and wagons. On the Traction side Remote Monitoring/Remote  Diagnostic  System  and  management  of  locos (REMLOT/RDS) is being provided to monitor performance and safety characteristics of locomotives.  In order to continuously update the driving skills  of  loco  pilots,  simulator  based  training  is  being imparted to all the locomotive pilots of Indian Railways.  Similarly, special training is being imparted to staff handling  the  new technologies  to  keep  their  knowledge  abreast  with  the  latest developments.

(d) As  a  result  of  implementing  the  above  mentioned  continual upgradation and adoption of technologies, the number of consequential accidents has steadily fallen over Indian Railways.

Number  of  consequential  train  accidents  have  continuously declined from 135 in the year 2014-15, to 107 in the year 2015-16 and further  down to 104 in the year 2016-17. In the current financial year  upto  2 nd   August  2017,  the  number  of  consequential  train accidents have further reduced by 51% (21 in 2017-18 versus 43 in 2016-17).

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