Lok Sabha Question No. 3823 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Accidents and Vacancies in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3823 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## ACCIDENTS AND VACANCIES IN RAILWAYS

## 3823.     SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  human  error  was  the  single  major reason for most of the rail accidents;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Railways thereto;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that a large number of vacancies of staff under safety category have not been filled up till date;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the measures taken to put an end to human errors and fill up the vacant posts?

## 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. 3823 BY SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2017 REGARDING ACCIDENTS AND VACANCIES IN RAILWAYS

(a) and (b): Yes, Madam.  Human error on the part of Railway staff is one of the causes of consequential train accidents. In the previous year during the period from 1stApril, 2016 to 31 st  March, 2017, out of 104 consequential train accidents taken place over Indian Railways, 66  number  were    attributable  to  failure  of  Railway  staff.  In  the current year during the period from 1 st  April, 2017 to 30 st  June, 2017, out  of  11  consequential  train  accidents  taken  place  over  Indian Railways, 8 number were attributable to failure of Railway staff.

Indian Railways is tackling the issue by upgrading the process of  recruitment  and  training  of  its  human  resources.    All  staff  are given extensive theoretical & practical training before induction into the  job.    Periodical  refresher  training  is  imparted  to  update  the knowledge & upgrade skills. Modern training methods & equipments  like  simulators  etc.  are  also  used  in  the  training schools. At the same time disciplinary action is also taken against the erring staff.

(c) to (e): Arising and  filling up of vacancies  is  a  continuous process  and  concerted  efforts  have  been  made  to  fill  up  the vacancies  in  safety  category,  viz.,  Assistant  Loco  Pilots,  Guards, Station Masters, Junior Engineers, Trackmen, Technicians, etc.  As on  01.04.2017,  the  total  number  of  vacancies  in  safety  category vacancies was 124201 (provisional).

Railways  have  taken  various  measures  to  reduce  failure  of railway staff which include the following:

(i) To improve transparency in recruitment - a decision has been taken  to  make  all  Group  'C'  recruitment  by  Railway  Recruitment Board (RRB) online. (ii) Implementation and monitoring of Railway Servants (Hours of Work  and  Period  of  Rest)  Rules,  2005  to  provide  proper  rest  to railway staff including running staff, (iii) Periodic  medical  examination  of  safety  category  employees including running staff, (iv) Structured  training at various stages, namely,  initial  and promotional stages alongwith refresher courses for safety category employees  including  running  staff  to  help  them  assimilate  new technologies and enable skill upgradation, (v) Improvement in running rooms to provide stress free environment  to  the  outstation  crew      and  to  enable  them  to  take proper rest at outstations, (vi) Yoga/meditation and physical training lessons  have  been introduced in training centers especially for safety category staff to enable them to cope with the stress involved in their job, (vii) Progressive mechanization of maintenance of track and rolling stock including locomotives, coaches and wagons to reduce human dependence and enhance productivity, (viii) Devices/systems  like  Block  Proving  Axle  Counters  (BPAC), Auxiliary  Warning  System  (AWS),  Train  Protection  and  Warning System (TPWS), Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), etc. are being  progressively  introduced  to  aid  frontline  staff  and    reduce human dependence.

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