Lok Sabha Question No. 82 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Safety Technology
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 82 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

- *82.    SHRI T.RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has decided to procure latest safety technology on 'war footing' in the  wake of two recent derailments to ensure passenger safety and reduce dependency on manual systems;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  expenditure  likely  to  be  incurred thereon;
- (c)  the time by which the technology is likely to be put into use;
- (d)  whether the Railways also proposes to seek foreign assistance in assessing and augmenting safety mechanism; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  present  status of  special railway safety fund?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 82 BY SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN AND SHRI S. R. VIJAYAKUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2017 REGARDING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

(a) to (c) : Indian  Railways  accord  highest  priority  to  safety  in  train operations.  Consequential  train  accidents  have  declined  from  195  in 2006-07  to  135  in  2014-15  and  further  to  107  in  2015-16.  Number  of consequential train accidents remained at a level of 95 during 2015-16 and 2016-17 (from 1 st  April 2016 to 6 th  February 2017).  Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres, an important index of safety, has come down from 0.23 in 2006-07 to 0.11 in 2014-15 and further to 0.10 (approximately)  in  2015-16.  All  possible  steps  are  undertaken  on  a continual  basis  including  up-gradation  of  technology  to  aid  safe running of trains.

Railways are inducting modern technology on regular basis. Safety Measures taken to reduce accidents on Indian Railways:

Indian Railways classify accidents in the following broad categories:

- i)
- ii)
- Collisions
- Derailments
- iii) Accidents at Level crossings
- iv)
- Fire in Trains
- v) Miscellaneous/ Other Accidents.

## COLLISIONS:

## 1.

Collision  is  an  accident  in  which  two  trains  collide  due  to  over shooting  of  signals,  failure  of  signaling  systems  or  due  to  human failures.

Measures taken to reduce collisions including various new technologies:

Technological  aids  of  Automatic  Train  Protection  System  to  drivers (loco  pilots)  to  avoid  collisions  have  been  progressively  adopted  on Indian  Railways  keeping  priority  for  high  density  routes/  suburban sections within the constraints of resources. These technological aids are:

Vigilance  Control  Device  (VCD)  for  avoiding  collisions  and  checking alertness of Loco Pilots

-  Vigilance  Control  Device  is  a  system  provided  in  the  locomotives. This  device  monitors  the  alertness  of  the  driver  through  all  normal actions  performed  by  him  while  driving,  such  as  use  of  throttle handle, braking, horn, etc.  If the Loco Pilot performs no action for a certain time interval, he gets audio-visual indications, and if still, he does not react, emergency brakes get applied automatically. All the diesel  and  electric  locomotives  on  Indian  Railways  have  now  been provided with VCDs.

Simulator  based  training  of  loco  pilots:    Simulator  based  training  is being  imparted  to  loco  pilots  to  improve  their  driving  skills  and reaction time.

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System:

Train Protection Warning System (TPWS)

-  Train  protection  and  Warning  System  (TPWS):  Train  Protection  and Warning  System  (TPWS)  is  based  on  proven  European  train  control system (ETCS L-1) Technology for mitigating safety risk arising due to driver's error of Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) or over-speeding which may lead to collision.
- i. TPWS  is  functional  on  Chennai  to  Gummidipundi  (50  RKM)  and Chennai  (Basin  Bridge)  to  Arakkonam  (67  RKM)  on  suburban section of Southern Railway.
- ii.
- Non Suburban section of Delhi to Agra (200 RKM) and
- iii. On  Kolkata  Metro  from  Kavi  Subhash  to  Dumdum  (25RKM) section.

TPWS works have been sanctioned on 3330 RKM. In first phase, work on  Suburban  sections  covering  1240  RKM  on  Eastern,  South  Eastern, Northern, Southern and South Central Railways have been taken up for implementation.

## Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS):

Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) in association  with  Indian  Vendors  has  taken  up  a  pilot  project  for indigenous development of a cost effective safety system called Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). TCAS deploys radio communication for transmission of movement authority from track side to  the  Locomotive.  This  system  is  aimed  at  providing  capability  of preventing  train  accidents  caused  due  to  Signal  Passing  at  Danger (SPAD) or over speeding by train drivers.  The system has a feature of reflecting signal system in the locomotive cab.

After successful Proof of Concept trials of TCAS, RDSO has taken up  extended  field  trials  of  TCAS  on  a  pilot  section  LingamapalliVikarabad-Wadi-Bidar (250 Route km) section of South Central Railway. After  completion  of  all  field  works  equipment  deployments  trials  on seven  pair  of  passenger  trains  have  already  commenced.    Safety validation  of  the  system  has  also  been  taken  up  by  the  Independent Safety Assessor (ISA).

## Other Measures to Prevent Collisions

-  Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  System  with  centralized  operation of  points  and  signals  to  eliminate  human  failure  and  to  replace  old outdated  mechanical  systems  Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  has been provided at 5551 stations upto December 2016.
-  Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  the  station  to  enhance  safety  by verification of track occupancy by electrical means instead of human element is completed at about 5751 stations upto December 2016.
-  Axle  Counter  for  Automatic  clearance  of  Block  Section  (BPAC),    to ensure complete arrival of train and that no left over vehicle has left in  the  station  before  granting  line  clear  is  provided  on  4894  block sections upto December 2016.
-  Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates, to protect L.C Gate with signals to avoid accidents has been progressively done at 10929 gates upto December 2016.
-  Interlocking of Signalling to Std-II(R)): Upgradation of interlocking of signalling  system  from  Std-I  to  Std-II(R)  at  4854  stations  has  been done as on September 2016.
-  Modified  Automatic  Signalling;  Modified  Automatic  Signalling  was provided  all  Automatic  Block  Signalling  Sections  on  North  Central Railway  and  Northern  Railway  to  handle  train  operations  safely during fog.

## 2.

## DERAILMENTS:

Derailments are accidents where a train leaves it guided path i.e. track.

Measures to Reduce  Derailments including new technology:

## i) TRACK AND BRIDGES

-  Track  Renewal  -  Track  renewal  is  an  ongoing  process  which  is undertaken as and when a stretch of track becomes due for renewal on  age-cum-condition  basis.  Track  Renewal  works  are  planned  in advance every year and their execution is prioritized according to the condition  of  track  and  overall  availability  of  funds  ensuring  all  the time that track is in a sound condition for safe running of trains. In case,  if  any  stretch  of  track  is  not  renewed  in  time  due  to  various reasons  including  scarcity  of  funds,  material  etc.,  suitable  speed restrictions  are  imposed  to  ensure  safe  running  of  trains.  The achievement of track renewals during last two and current year is as under:
-  In order to improve safety, modern track structure consisting of Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC), 52 kg/60kg, 90 or higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, fanshaped layout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track  renewals.    Further  it  has  been  decided  to  lay  Thick  web switches,  Weldable  Cast  Maganese  Steel  crossings  on  identified routes.  Presently,  percentage  track  laid  with  PSC  sleepers,  60  kg rails etc. is as under:
-  Technology  of  Alumino  Thermit  (AT)  welds  has  been  upgraded  by introduction of Auto weigh method, pre-heating with compressed air petrol and 3 piece moulds, so as to upgrade the quality and reliability of welds.
-  Long rail panels of 260 M/130M. Lengths are being manufactured at the  steel  plant  to  minimize  number  of  Alumino  Thermit/Flash  Butt welding joints in the track.
-  Provision of  Thick  Web Switches (TWS) is planned for all important routes of IR. To expedite provision of TWS, procurement of Thick Web Switches has been decentralized to zonal railways.
-  Indian  Railways  have  developed  design  and  drawings  for  weldable Cast Manganese Steel (CMS) crossings on existing PSC sleepers for 60 kg 1 in 12 & 60 kg 1 in 8.5 Turnouts which eliminates fish plated joints for its connection with adjoining rails. It is planned to provide Weldable CMS Crossings on all important routes on Indian Railways.
-  Head  Hardened  Rails  have  been  planned  to  use  at  sharp  curves, steep  gradients  and  on  predominantly  freight  routes  with  25  t  axle load regular operation.
-  To  enhance  asset  reliability  of  rails,  policy  guidelines  have  been issued  to  zonal  railways.    AT  welding  of  rails  is  being  reduced  and Flash Butt Welding of rails is increased to reduce weld failures.

| Year                        | Physical Progress (in Km)   | Physical Progress (in Km)   |
|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                             | Target                      | Achievement                 |
| 2014-15                     | 2200                        | 2424                        |
| 2015-16                     | 2500                        | 2794                        |
| 2016-17 (Upto October 2016) | 2668                        | 1306                        |

| ITEM                      | All Gauge   | BG      |
|---------------------------|-------------|---------|
| Track on Concrete sleeper | 93.34%      | 98.96%  |
| Long Welded Track         | 83.50%      | 89.12%  |
| Track on 52kg Rails       | 52.16%      | 55.47%  |
| Track on 60kg Rails       | 41.01%      | 43.95 % |

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) Testing of Rails/Welds :

Analogue  type  of  machines  for  Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD) testing  of  rails  have  been  replaced  with  digital  type  of  machines which are more reliable.  Presently USFD testing is being carried out as per laid down frequency.

Progress  of  USFD  testing  during  current  year  and  previous  three years has been as under :

| YEAR                         |   TARGET IN TRACK KILOMETERS (TKMS) |   PROGRESS IN TKMS |
|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------|
| 2013-14                      |                              358255 |             353967 |
| 2014-15                      |                              347205 |             356268 |
| 2015-16                      |                              363634 |             364356 |
| 2016-17 (upto December 2016) |                              269677 |             285334 |

Vehicular USFD System, Self Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing (SPURT Car):

Decision to use Vehicle bound USFD testing has been taken to ensure faster as well as more reliable testing as it would cover larger crosssectional area of rail. One tender has been called by Northern Railway for 30400 Tkm of USFD testing on Rajdhani routes between New DelhiMugalsarai and New Delhi- Ratlam sections of Indian Railways. Initially 6  nos.  SPURT  (Self  Propelled  Ultrasonic  Rail  Testing)  Cars    will  be used  for  USFD  testing  of  rails  on  Indian  Railways.  Procurement  of these 6 nos. SPURT cars have been included in Rolling Stock Program 2017-2018 at total cost of ` 186.24 crores.

-  An elaborate schedule of inspections of track has been laid down for Keymen,  Mate,  Junior  Engineer  (Permanent-way),  Section  Engineer (Permanent-way), Assistant Engineer and Divisional Engineer.  Higher officials not only conduct technical inspections but also keep check on quantity and quality of inspections conducted by their juniors. Similarly, a well defined system exists for inspection for bridges.
-  Electronic  monitoring  of  track  geometry  is  carried  out  with  Track Recording  Cars  (TRC) and  Portable Oscillation Monitoring  (OMS) Systems to detect track geometry defects for planning maintenance as per  laid  down  frequency  based  on  Gross  Million  Tonne  (GMT)  of  the section.

Further, two more  TRCs with axle box mounted accelerometer with video recording  have been included in Rolling Stock Program  2017-18 at a cost of ₹ 39.2 crores.

Maintenance inputs are given to track and bridges as per requirement noticed during manual inspections, TRC & OMS runs and USFD testing to keep track in safe condition.

## Composite Sleepers:

Based on the performance of composite sleepers during field trials and on recommendation of a special committee, composite sleepers have been  adopted  for  regular  use  over  IR  to  be    used  mainly  over  steel girder bridges.  Accordingly a global  tender for  'Manufacturing and Supply'  of    2.53  lac  composite  sleepers  to  various  Zonal  Railway  by setting up plant in India, under 'Make in India policy' has been invited, which is due for opening on 20.02.2017.

Trial of Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detection System (UBRDS) for detection of in service Rail & Weld Failure:

Ultrasonic  Broken  Rail  Detection  System  (UBRDS)  used  by  South African Railway is under trial on Northern Railway and North Central Railway  since  November  2016.  This  system  works  on  principle  of guided Ultrasonic waves and interrogates continuously welded rail in sections up to one kilometer long using ultrasound waves, and reports breaks at time intervals down to a few minutes.

The approx. Cost of trial for above 50 KM Track Length  is  USD 833496 ( ₹ 5.56 Cr). The locations of trial are as under :

| SN   | Railway               | Major                     | Block Sections                  | Km   | Km   |
|------|-----------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------|------|------|
|      |                       | Section                   |                                 | From | To   |
| 1    | Northern Railway      | Moradabad - Saharanpur    | Roorkee- Hindon Cabin (Up line) | 1559 | 1584 |
| 2    | North Central Railway | Allahabad- Kanpur Section | Bamhraul- Bharwari (Up Line)    | 835  | 860  |

-  Modern  Bridge  Inspection  and  Management  System:  Modern  bridge inspection and  management  system  has been adopted, which includes non-destructive testing techniques, under water inspections, intelligent water  level  monitoring  system,  mapping unknown foundations and integrity testing, etc.
-  Patrolling  of  Railway  Tracks:  During  adverse  weather  conditions patrolling of railway tracks including night patrolling is carried out at vulnerable locations regularly.

## ii) ROLLING STOCK

-  Centre Buffer Coupler: Progressive fitment of tight lock Centre Buffer Coupler (CBC) in lieu of screw coupling on new manufacturing of ICF design  coaches  has  been  carried  out    with  a  view  to  prevent  the coaches  from  climbing  over  each  other  in  unfortunate  event  of  an accident.  So  far,  2900  Linke  Hofmann  Busch  (LHB)  coaches,  425

Hybrid  Stainless  Steel  Coaches  and  1340  Conventional  ICF  Design Coaches  have  been  manufactured  with  Centre  Buffer  Couplers. Design of CBC has been upgraded to mitigate problem of jerks during acceleration/deceleration of trains.

-  Proliferation of LHB coaches for improving Safety: A policy decision has  been  taken  to  manufacture  only  LHB  coaches  from  2018-19 onwards. It has been decided to completely switchover to production  of  LHB  type  coaches  in  future.  It  has  been  decided  to manufacture  3025  LHB  coaches  in  2018-19  as  against  1697  LHB coaches  in  2016-17.    LHB  type  coaches  have  interior  crashworthy and  anti  climbing  features.  Hitherto  these  coaches  were  inducted into premier services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Durantoes but now these are also being inducted into Mail & Express trains as well. Thus proliferation of LHB coaches and development of new variant coaches  on  LHB  design  platform  would  enhance  safety  in  train operation in the long run.
-  Retro  fitment  of  CBC  on  ICF  coaches:  A  policy  decision  has  been taken to retro fit CBC ICF coaches in a phased manner.  The inherent anti-climbing features of CBC will prevent overriding of coaches one over the other.
-  Progressive  use  of  Air  springs:      To  maintain  constant  height  at variable load, air spring are being used in secondary suspension of EMU/DMU  coaches.    These  springs  shall  also  be  introduced  in mainline and LHB coaches to enhance safety and reliability.
3. MEASURES TAKEN TO CURB UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS ACCIDENTS (UMLC):

To Curb Accidents at Unmanned Level Crossings elimination of UMLCs through various means has been attempted:

-  It  has  been  decided  to  progressively  eliminate  all  unmanned  level crossings  by  (i)  closing  unmanned  crossings  having  NIL/negligible Train  Vehicle  Units  (TVUs),  (ii)  merger  of  unmanned  level  crossing with nearby unmanned/manned gates or Road Under Bridge or Road Over  Bridge  or Subway  by  construction  of  diversion  road,  (iii) provision  of  Subways/Road  Under  Bridges.  The  Unmanned  Level Crossings which cannot be eliminated by the above means, will be progressively manned based on the volume of rail road traffic (TVU) and visibility conditions.

Total No. of Level crossings on Indian railways (as on 1-4-2016)

On Broad Gauge (BG) :

6388 nos.

On Metre Gauge (MG)/Narrow Gauge (NG)

:

2952 nos.

Total

:

9340 nos.

Target for elimination of UMLC in 2016-17

:

1440 nos.

Year wise elimination UMLC (in nos.)

|   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 Upto December 2016 |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------------|
|      1102 |      1148 |      1253 |                          992 |

It  has  been  announced  in  the  Railway  Budget  2016-17  that  Indian Railways will eliminate all existing UMLCS on BG within the next 3-4 years.

-  Containing  the  proliferation  of  Level  Crossings  (LCs)  at  source:  A policy  decision  has  been  taken  not  to  permit  any  new  LC  either  on existing  line  or  any  new  line/  gauge  conversion  to  be  commissioned henceforth. However only in exceptional cases, retention of unmanned

LCs  on  new  line  or  gauge  conversion  can  be  permitted  with  the approval of Railway Board.

## Ensuring Basic Infrastructure:

-  Provision  of  basic  infrastructure  on  all  unmanned  level  crossings which  includes  provision  of  appropriate  visibility,  width,  gradient, level surface on either side from centre of the nearest track, whistle boards, road warning boards, surface of the approach road and speed breakers/rumble strips as per laid down standards.
-  Periodic  inspection  of  such  crossings  to  ensure  the  above  and  for taking corrective action, if any.
-  Instructions have also been issued to zonal railways to install a 2 nd Whistle  Board  (Repeater)  for  level  crossings  at  a  distance  of  250 meters  in  advance  of  the  level  crossings  for  the  loco  drivers  to whistle while approaching UMLC/ MLC to warn the road users.

## Education of road users:

-  Social awareness campaigns to educate road users with the use of various print and electronic media for observance of safe practices prescribed in Motor Vehicles Act and Indian Railways Act and joint ambush  checks  along  with  civil  police  to  counter  misadventure  in front of approaching trains.
-  Zonal  railways  have  also  been  advised  to  deploy  Gate  Mitra/  Gate Counselors to counsel the road vehicle users for observance of safe practice while negotiating UMLCs. As on 1 st  April, 2016, about 4326 Gate Mitra/Counselors have been deployed on Indian Railways.

## 4. MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT FIRE IN TRAINS

-  Improving Fire Retardancy in Caoches:

Coaches are being provided with fire retardant furnishing materials such  as  Fire  retardant  curtains,  partition  panelling,  roof  ceiling, flooring,  seat  and  berths  along  with  cushioning  material  and  seat covers, Windows and UIC Vestibules etc. The specifications of these items are being upgraded from time to time as as a part of continual improvement.  In  the  recent  past,  another  parameter  called  'Heat Release Rate (HRR)' has been added in the material specification of all  major interior furnishing materials used in coaches as per latest European norms.

-  Provision of Automatic Fire and Smoke Detection System in Coaches: Automatic  Fire  and  Smoke  Detection  System  has  been  provided  in 200 coaches running in 9 rakes.  As per the latest specification the air  brake  system  has  been  interfaced  with  the  Fire  and  Smoke Detection System for stopping the train in emergent situation.
-  Provision  of  Water  mist  type  Fire  Suppression  in  pantry  cars  and power cars:

Power  cars  and  Pantry  cars  are  relatively  more  prone  to  fire  and therefore  Fire  suppression  system  based  on  water-mist  technology has been decided for a limited numbers of coaches before large scale proliferation.

-  Provision of Fire Extinguishers: Dry  chemical  powder  type  fire extinguishers  are  being  provided  in  all  mainline  Trains.    These  are portable fire extinguishers and are easy to use by on board staff or passengers  in  case  of  emergency.    Fire  extinguishers  are  being provided in all Air-conditioned coaches, Second class - cum - guard and luggage van, Pantry cars and train locomotives.
-  Use of improved materials for electrical fittings and fixtures such as MCB, light fittings, terminal boards, connectors, etc.
-  Inspection  of  Electrical  &  LPG  Fittings  in  Pantry  Cars:  Detailed instructions  have  been  issued  to  zonal  railways  for  observance  of

safe practices in handling of pantry cars and for ensuring periodical inspection of electrical and LPG fittings in the pantry cars.

-  Publicity  Campaigns:  Intensive  publicity  campaigns  to  prevent  the travelling  public  from  carrying  inflammable  goods  are  regularly undertaken.

Expenditure  for  safety  is  in-built  in  various  relevant  plan-heads  of Railways.    An  assessment  of  the  Ministry  indicates  the  following expenditure on safety:

( ₹. in crores)

| Actual 2015-16   | Revised Estimate   | Budget Estimate   |
|------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
|                  | 2016-17            | 2017-18           |
| 45516            | 63063              | 69530             |

(d) & (e): Yes, Madam.  Ministry of Railways has entered into Memorandum  of  Understandings/Agreements with Canada, Japan. Russia  and  Italy  for  technical  cooperation  in  rail  sector,  which  inter alia  include  railway  safety  as  one  of  the  cooperation  areas.    On invitation  of  Ministry  of  Railways,  safety  experts  from  Korea  have visited  India  from  15.01.2017  to  24.01.2017  to  review  and  discuss various  safety  and  operational  practices.    A  Japanese  delegation comprising  of  track  and  signal  experts  have  also  come  to  India  on 09.01.2017 to share their expertise on safety.  On 31 st  of January, 2017 an  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU)  has  been  signed  between Indian Railways and Italy for cooperation on various subjects including railway safety.

In  the  Budget  2017-18, setting up of a 'Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh' (RRSK) has been announced with a corpus of ₹ 1 lakh crores over a  period  of  5  years.    A  provision  of ₹ 20,000  crore  has  been  made  in Budget  Estimate  2017-18  towards  'RRSK'  to  fund  essential  safety works.  These  funds  will  be  used  for  modernization  of  track,  rolling stock,  acquisition  of  vehicle  based  USFD  machines,  on  board  rolling stock monitoring systems and proliferation of other safety technologies.

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