Lok Sabha Question No. 355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Upgradation of Security Criterion in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## UPGRADATION OF SECURITY CRITERION IN RAILWAYS

†355. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  effective  steps  taken  to  upgrade  various  security criterion of Railways during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government has set up a mechanism/taken any steps for  safety  of  passengers  and  to  check  recurrence  of  accidents  by taking cognizance of the accidents during the last three years; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  Security  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  priority  areas  by  the Railways  for  strengthening  and  up-gradation.  Measures  initiated  for strengthening of security over Railways in recent past include provision  of  Close  Circuit  Television  (CCTV)  Cameras  at  important railway stations, operationalisation and up-gradation of Security Helpline 182, installation of security equipment like baggage scanners etc. In addition, escorting of 2500 trains (on an average daily), is done

by Railway Protection Force (RPF) besides escorting of 2200 trains by Government  Railway Police (GRP). Special  measures  have been initiated  for  women  security  over  Railways  like  formation  of  special ladies  squads,  prosecution  of  offenders  under  the  provisions  of  the Railways Act etc.

Prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law and order in Railway station premises as well as in running trains are the statutory responsibility of State Governments, which they discharge through the GRP. Railways, through the RPF, are supplementing efforts of respective States to strengthen security across Indian Railways.

For  regular  monitoring  and  review  of  security  arrangements  for  the Railways, State Level Security Committee for Railways (SLSCR) have been  constituted for all State/Union Territories (UTs) under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of States/ Union Territories.

(b) & (c): 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,  signaling  and  interlocking systems,  safety  drives,  greater  emphasis  on  training  of  officials  and safety 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  Interlocking,  track  circuiting,  provision  of  Block Proving Axle Counters, Colour Light LED Signals, Train Protection and Warning System, Vigilance Control Device, Fog Pass Device, usage of 52 kg/60 kg, 90 or higher UTS rails and pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers, use  of  Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  of  rails  and  welds  at  predefined periodicity to detect internal flaws in rails/welds.  Electronic monitoring of track geometry is carried out to detect defects and plan maintenance.  Steel Channel Sleepers on girder bridges are being used while carrying out primary track renewals.  Further, it  has  been decided to lay Thick webs switches, Weldable Cast Manganese Steel crossings  on  identified  routes.  Progressive  use  of  Linke  Hofmann Busch  Coaches,  use  of  Centre  Buffer  Couplers  with  Integral  Coach Factory Coaches,  etc.  Railway tracks are  replaced  on  age-cumcondition  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  examination  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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