Lok Sabha Question No. 1340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Fire Incidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1340 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## FIRE INCIDENTS

†1340. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of fire incidents in the Railways reported in Madhya Pradesh  and  Chhattisgarh  during  the  last  three  years  and  the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) the details of loss of lives and property and subsequent inquiry report in a recent major fire incident at Itarsi railway station and also in a major incident happened on 17th June, 2015;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps to stop recurrence of fire incidents; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  to  (d):  One  consequential  train  incident  of  'fire  in  train'  took place  on  the  Jhansi  Division  (Morena/Madhya  Pradesh)  of  North Central Railway on 25.01.2017. In addition, few other minor incidences  of  fire  were  also  reported  from  Railways,  within  the jurisdiction of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states, during last three years. In case of any fire incident, enquiry is conducted as per due procedure to ascertain the causes, fix responsibility and to take remedial measures.

No loss of life was reported in the fire incidents which occurred at Itarsi  on  17.06.2015  and  recently  on  08.05.2018.  However,  loss  of railway property to the tune of ₹ 19.5 lakh (approximately) and ₹ 50.50 lakh (approximately) was suffered by different Departments of Railways in the above fire incidents respectively. In the fire incident dated 17.06.2015, departmental action was initiated against delinquent railway staff under Discipline and Appeal Rules. A  joint circular for safety check was also issued by concerned Directorates of Ministry of Railways in consultation with RDSO. In the recent fire incident dated 08.05.2018, action has been initiated against the firm held responsible for the fire.

Several  steps  are  being  taken  to  reduce  incidents  of  fire  in  train coaches. It is a continual endeavour of Indian Railways to improve fire  retardancy  in  coaches  by  providing  fire  retardant  furnishing materials  in  coaches.    A  parameter  called  Heat  Release  Rate  has been  added  in  the  material  specification  of  all  major  interior furnishing  materials  as  per  latest  European  norms,  in  order  to improve  fire  safety  in  coaches.  Instructions  have  been  issued  to Production Units for provision of following in all newly manufactured coaches:

-  Fire detection and suppression system in all newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars;
-  Fire  and  Smoke  detection  system  in  all  newly  manufactured Air Conditioned (AC) coaches;
-  Fire extinguishers in all newly manufactured non-AC coaches ( in addition to AC coaches)

Steps  have  been  taken  to  improve  fire  safety  features  in  existing coaches  also.    In  this  direction,  sanction  under  Rolling  Stock Programme has been taken for provision of fire extinguisher in nonAC coaches, fire  suppression  and detection  system  in  power  cars and pantry car and fire & smoke detection system in AC coaches.

Besides, offenders carrying inflammable items are being prosecuted under relevant provisions of the Railways Act.  Action is also being taken against persons found smoking in Railway premises.

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