Lok Sabha Question No. 319 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Safety of Trackmen
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.319 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## SAFETY OF TRACKMEN

*319.  SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether cases of maintenance worker being run over by trains while patrolling  the  tracks  are  increasing  day  by  day  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b)   whether  the  Railways  has  constituted  a  committee  of  general managers to suggest ways to improve the working condition of trackmen including their uniform and tool kit;
- (c) if so, whether the aforesaid committee has submitted its recommendations and if so, the action taken thereon;
- (d) whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  deploy  'Rakshak'-  type  protection system on the entire high density network on a crash basis and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  time  by  which  the  said  protection  system  will  be  introduced  in the entire network and  the details of other measures taken for the safety of trackmen?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.319  BY  SHRI  ADHALRAO  PATIL  SHIVAJIRAO  AND  SHRI VINAYAK  BHAURAO  RAUT  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 02.01.2019 REGARDING SAFETY OF TRACKMEN

(a) No, Madam. The cases of maintenance worker being run over by trains while patrolling the track are not increasing day by day.

(b)  &  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  A  Committee consisting of  three Railway General Managers  was  constituted  to  review  uniform  and  tool  kits  for  Track maintainers.

The  Committee  has  submitted  its  report  on  22.01.2018.  Based  on  the recommendations of the Committee, instructions have been issued to all Zonal  Railways  on  05.02.2018  for  providing  job  specific  protection  gear like luminous vests, safety helmets with detachable miner's light, safety shoes, tricolor LED 3-cell torch, sturdy light weight backpack tool kit bag, winter jacket, raincoat with separate water proof trouser, winter jacket, snow  boots  etc.  to  Track  Maintainers  and  provision  of  'Rakshak'  type protection system on high density network of Indian Railways.

(d) Yes, Madam. There is a proposal to deploy 'Rakshak' type protection system on the entire high density network of Indian Railways. A work has already  been  sanctioned  during  2018-19  for  provision  of  VHF  based Approaching Train Warning System (Rakshak type) on Golden Quadrilateral and its diagonals on Indian Railways.

(e)  'Rakshak'  type  protection  system  is  a  new  upcoming  technology. Deployment  of  this  system  over  entire  Indian  Railways  depends  on success of this protection system on high density network.

Other measures taken by Indian Railways for safety of Trackmen include counselling by field staff, organising safety seminars, periodical medical examination of field staff, providing warning hooters etc.

*****