Lok Sabha Question No. 395 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Accumulation of Water in RUBs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022

## ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN RUBs

*395.  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of Railway be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  inquiry  into the instance  of  death  due  to  submersion  of  vehicle  in  the  stagnated rainwater in Rail Under Bridge (RUB), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the steps have been taken to check the accumulation of water in RUBs during incidents of heavy rainfall or flooding;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the total number of deaths recorded in such incidents in the country during the last ten years, State-wise;
- (f) whether the Municipal Commissioner was held accountable for such incidents in urban, rural and remote areas; and
- (g) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 395 BY SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 30.03.2022 REGARDING ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN RUBs (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.    An  enquiry  has  been  conducted into the incident happened at Road Under Bridge (RUB) No. 150 at Km. 103/4-5 between Tirupati and Tirupati West Station, Andhra Pradesh on 22/23.10.2021. A waterway bridge of span 1x6.10 meter was rebuilt as 2x9.79 meter (RUB)  on  deposit  term  at  the  behest  of  State  Government  during Gauge Conversion in 2003. As per the arrangement of execution, the drainage for the RUB  was responsibility  of  Road  Authorities.  All  the  works  connected  with drainage arrangements were carried out by Road authorities (Tirupathi Municipal Corporation) at their own cost and they were accountable and  responsible  for  post  construction  maintenance  of  this  RUB. Necessary  pumping  arrangements  are  also  to  be  provided,  operated and  maintained  by  road  authorities  to  make  the  road  usable  in  all seasons. This was the undertaking accepted by the State Govt. and a note was incorporated  in  GAD  (General  Arrangement  Drawing)  for  the  above bridge.  As  such  as  per  approved  GAD,  all  the  works  connected  with drainage  arrangements  shall  be  carried  out  by  Tirupathi  Muncipal Corporation  including  its  post  construction  maintenance,  pumping arrangements and maintained to make the road usable in all seasons.

There was heavy downpour and flash flood for about one and half hour time in surrounding area of RUB between 23.00 hrs of 22-10-2021 and 00.30 hrs of 23-10-2021. Due to heavy and intense rainfall of more than 100  mm,  there  was  a  sudden  rise  in  the  water  level  at  RUB  as  the drainage  arrangement  provided  could  not  cater  to  the  sudden  and excessive  runoff  coming  from  surrounding  areas  like  Agricultural University, Tirupathi West Railway colony, S.V. University, VC Bungalow & SV High School due to unexpected blockage of drain by debris washed / flown from surrounding areas. It  was  reported that, a SUV coming from Raichur (Karnataka) with 7 passengers tried to pass through the RUB in the midnight at 00:50 hrs. Despite warning to the driver by the co-passengers not to pass through the RUB, the driver ventured and made an attempt to wade through. As it  was  raining  heavily  and  heavy  accumulation/flow  of  water  the vehicle  got  stuck  up  and  partially  submerged  in  the  water  on  the approaches  to  RUB.  All  seven  passengers  were  rescued  from  the water. One of the lady passenger died on the way to hospital.  This unfortunate incident happened   due to gross negligence of the vehicle driver. The  flood  water  at  RUB  location  was  pumped  out  and  drained  out completely  by  clearing  the  debris  /  drain  and  opened  to  traffic

immediately by municipal authorities.

(c)  &  (d):  Yes,  Sir.    Several  remedial  measures  have  been  taken  to minimise the problem of water logging. Adequate drainage arrangement  has  been  made  integral  part  of  planning  of  new  Road Under Bridge (RUB)/Subways. In existing RUB/subways feasible remedial  measures  like  water  flow  diversion  to  nearest  bridge  & nallahs,  provision  of  covered  shed  on  approach  roads,  provision  of hump at entry to Road under Bridge (RUB), provision of cross drains, sealing  of  joints  etc.  have  been  made  as  per  site  suitability.  In addition, pumping arrangement has also been made in identified RUBs, to drain out water expeditiously in case of emergency. The responsibility  of  provision,  operation  and  maintenance  of  pumps  is also decided in advance.

Steps like clearing of debris and silt removal in the drains are taken at RUBs before onset of monsoon. Monsoon patrolling is also being done in rainy season in identified areas. Keymen/Patrolman are advised to keep close watch on RUBs during flooding/monsoons.

(e):  Number of deaths recorded in such incidents in the country for the last ten years, State-wise:

| State          |   No. of Deaths |
|----------------|-----------------|
| Andhra Pradesh |               1 |
| Tamil Nadu     |               1 |
| Total          |               2 |

(f)  &  (g):    Yes,  Sir.    In  case  of  Andhra  Pradesh  incident,  Tirupati Municipality was responsible. Action is to be taken by State Government.

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