Lok Sabha Question No. 758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-26
Subject: Casualties in Train Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.758 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.06.2019

## CASUALTIES IN TRAIN ACCIDENTS

†758. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  and  details  of  the  persons  died  and  injured  in  the  train accidents since the year 2017 till now in the State of Maharashtra, yearwise;
- (b) whether there has been a rapid increase in the number of deceased and injured persons due to train accidents;
- (c) the reasons for such increase in the number of casualties including the deaths and injuries taking place in the train accidents during the last two years; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to reduce the number of train accidents and casualties?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) : One person died in a train accident in the State of Maharashtra in 2018 and 6 people have received injuries since 2017 till now.

(b) : No, Sir.

(c) : Does not arise.

- (d)  :  Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  by  Indian  Railways  and  all possible steps are  undertaken on  a continuous basis to prevent accidents and  to enhance  safety.  These  include  timely  replacement  of  over-aged ...2/-

assets, adoption of suitable technologies for up-gradation 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  Maganese  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-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  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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