Lok Sabha Question No. 861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Derailment in Chitrakoot
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 861 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## DERAILMENT IN CHITRAKOOT

## 861.  SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM:

Will the Minister of  RAILWAYS  be  pleased to state:

- (a) whether there  was  a  train  derailment  in  Chitrakoot  district  of Uttar Pradesh on November 24, 2017;
- (b) if  so,  whether this derailment was due to track fracture and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  reasons  for  the  persistent  recurrence  of  'track  fracture' leading to rail accidents;
- (d)  whether there is no scientific track fracture detection mechanism  in  place  since  January  1,  2017  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor; and
- (e) steps proposed to enhance safety  of Railways?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (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 UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  861  BY  SHRI  MALYADRI  SRIRAM  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2017 REGARDING DERAILMENT IN CHITRAKOOT (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  14  coaches  of  Train  No.12741  Down  Vasco  Da Gama-Patna  Express  derailed  at  Manikpur  Station  between  ManikpurAllahabad Section over Allahabad Division of North Central Railway  on 24.11.2017  in  Chitrakoot  District  of  Uttar  Pradesh.  A  statutory  inquiry into the said derailment has been ordered to be conducted to determine the  reasons  of  the  accident  by  the  Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety (CRS) North Eastern Circle, Lucknow under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. (c)  &  (d):  Track fracture occurs due to wear of track, corrosion, rolling stock  defects,  sudden  material  failure  etc.  Indian  Railways  have  a system  of  daily  inspection  of  railway  tracks  by  keyman  to  detect fractures  as  per  provisions  of  Indian  Railway  Permanent  Way  Manual (IRPWM).  In  addition,  cold  weather  patrolling  of  track  during  specific period  is  done  as  per  instructions  of  manual  of  long  welded  rail.  Also, trial of Broken Rail Detection System based on guided ultrasonic waves to detect fractures in rail has been undertaken on 25 km railway track length on Northern Railway and North Central Railway. (e):  Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  by  Indian  Railways  and  all possible steps are  undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents and to enhance safety. These include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signalling and interlocking systems, safety drives, greater emphasis on training of officials and inspections at regular  intervals  to  monitor  and  educate  staff  for  observance  of  safe practices.  Preventive and predictive maintenance of the Railway assets is  undertaken  to  ensure  safe  train  operation.    Safety  devices/systems being  used  to  prevent  accidents  include  Electronic  Intelocking,  track circuiting, provision of Block Proving Axle Counters (BPAC), Colour Light LED  Signals, Train Protection Warning Systems  (TPWS), Vigilance Control  Device  (VCD),  Fog  Pass  Device,    usage  of  52kg/60  kg,  90  or higher  UTS  rails  and  Pre-stressed  Concrete  Sleepers,  use  of  vehicular digital types of machines for ultrasonic flaw detection (USFD), Technology of Alumino Thermit 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. Electronic monitoring of track geometry is carried out to detect defects and plan maintenance. Steel Channel Sleepers on girder bridges is being used  while  carrying  out  primary  track  renewals.  Further  it  has  been decided  to  lay  Thick  webs  switches,  Weldable  Cast  Maganese  Steel crossings on identified routes. Progressive use of  Linke Hofmann Busch

(LHB) Coaches, use of Centre Buffer Coupler with Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Coaches, etc.  Railway tracks are replaced on age cum condition basis through track renewal works which is an ongoing process. Other measures include training of loco pilots and other safety category staff, improvement  of  their  working  conditions  including  proper  rest  and periodic medical examinations etc. Besides, patrolling of tracks, footplate  inspections  and  safety  reviews  at  various  levels,  etc    are regularly conducted to continuously monitor and improve safety aspects of the Indian Railways.

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