Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Installation of Fire Safety System in Passenger Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar, Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION NO. 48 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## INSTALLATION OF FIRE SAFETY SYSTEM IN PASSENGER COACHES

- *48.  DR T. R. PAARIVENDHAR : SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  many  train accidents  have  occurred  in  various  parts  of  the  country  due  to  various reasons during the last five years;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  total  number  of  such  trains  accidents  including  incidents  of  train compartments that caught fire which have been brought to the notice of the  Government  for  the  last  five  years  along  with  the  causes  of  these accidents, zone-wise;
- (d) whether the Railways is  considering  to  install  three  types  of  fire  safety systems on all types of  passenger coaches and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  reasons  for  the  loss  of  lives  on  account  of  rail  coaches catching fire were because of the absence of fire extinguishers and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether it is true that the ill-fated tourist coach that went up in flames in Madurai killing nine persons was not fitted with fire extinguishers and if so, the details in this regard;
- (g) whether any negligence was reported on the part of the shunting staff in moving the coach with passengers on board to the yard without provision of any amenities in the recent past and if so, the details thereof; and
- (h) the  details  of  the  safety  measures  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in  its operations to ensure the safety of passengers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (h)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO. 48 BY DR. T. R. PAARIVENDHAR AND SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.12.2023 REGARDING INSTALLATION OF FIRE SAFETY SYSTEM IN PASSENGER COACHES

(a) to (h):  The number of  consequential train fire  accidents during the last five years is as below:-

| Year    | Zones                                          |
|---------|------------------------------------------------|
| 2018-19 | CR(2), NCR(1), NFR(1), SCR(1), Metro(1)        |
| 2019-20 | NR(3), CR(1), ER(1), Konkan(1), NCR(1), SER(1) |
| 2020-21 | NR(2), WR(1)                                   |
| 2021-22 | NCR(1), NER(1), NR(1), WR(1)                   |
| 2022-23 | CR(2), ECR(1), SCR(1)                          |

The fire safety systems prevalent in Indian Railways are as under:-

1. Fire Extinguishers (FE)
2. Fire and Smoke Detection System (FSDS)
3. Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS)

Measures taken by Indian Railways in train operations to ensure safety of passengers

Indian Railways has been taking a large number of steps to improve safety in train operations. Some of the major steps taken in  recent years are as follows:

- i. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) has been introduced in 2017-18 for  replacement /  renewal /  upgradation  of  critical  safety  assets,

with a corpus of Rupees 1 lakh crore for five years. From 2017-18 till 2021-22,  Gross  expenditure  of  Rs.  1.08  lakh  crore  was  incurred  on

RRSK works.

- ii. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6498 stations upto 31.10.2023
2. to eliminate accident due to human failure.
- iii. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11137 level Crossing Gates up to 31.10.2023 for enhancing safety at LC gates.
- iv. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety for verification of  track  occupancy  by  electrical  means  has  been  provided  at  6548 stations upto 31.10.2023.
- v. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Signalling  e.g. mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol, preparation of completion drawing, etc. have been issued.
- vi. System of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as  per protocol has been re-emphasized.
- vii. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices  (VCD)  to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
- viii. Retro-reflective  sigma  boards  are  provided  on  the  mast  which  is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to warn  the  crew  about  the  signal  ahead  when  visibility  is  low  due  to foggy weather.
- ix. A GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots in fog affected  areas  which  enables  loco pilots to know the distance of the

approaching landmarks like signals, level crossing gates etc.

- x. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS)  rails,  Pre-stressed  Concrete  Sleeper  (PSC)  Normal/Wide  base sleepers  with  elastic  fastening,  fan-shaped  layout  turnout  on  PSC sleepers,  Steel  Channel/H-beam  Sleepers  on  girder  bridges  is  used while carrying out primary track renewals.
- xi. Mechanization  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track  machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
- xii. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m  long  rail panels for increasing progress  of rail renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby ensuring safety.
- xiii. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermit Welding and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.  Flash  Butt Welding.
- xiv. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring  System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
- xv. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
- xvi. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
- xvii. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
- xviii. Web  based  online  monitoring system  of track assets viz.  Track database  and  decision  support  system  has  been  adopted  to  decide rationalized maintenance requirement and optimize inputs.

- xix. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety; monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
- xx. Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
- xxi. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB  design coaches is being done.
- xxii. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
- xxiii. Safety  of  Railway  Bridges  is  ensured  through  regular  inspection  of Bridges. The requirement of repair/rehabilitation of Bridges is taken up based upon the conditions assessed during these inspections.
- xxiv. Indian Railways has displayed Statutory 'Fire Notices' for widespread passenger  information  in  all  coaches.  Fire  posters  are  provided  in every  coach  so  as  to  inform  and  alert  passengers  regarding  various Do's and Don'ts to prevent fire. These include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc.
- xxv. Production Units are providing Fire detection and suppression system in Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and Smoke detection system and fire extinguishers in coaches.
- xxvi. Regular counseling and training of staff is undertaken.
- xxvii. Concept  of  Rolling  Block  introduced  in  Indian  Railways  (Open  Lines) General  Rules  vide  gazette    notification  dated  30.11.2023,  wherein work  of  maintenance/repair/replacement  is  planned  for  52  weeks  in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.

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