Lok Sabha Question No. 2187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Modernisation of Railway Infrastructure
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Adoor Prakash, Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## MODERNISATION OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE

## 2187. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  modernize  current  railway infrastructure  including  railway  tracks,  signaling  systems,  electrical systems, etc., if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  large  number  of vacancies in the Indian Railways, especially at lower-level functionaries, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  794  officials  dealing  with track  maintenance were not given training as per the CAG report of 2022, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  recent  CAG  report  that suggests  spending  on  basic  railway  maintenance  that  has  seen  a reduction since 2017, leading to serious lapses in safety;
- (e) if so, whether the Government has any tangible plan to develop and revitalize current railway infrastructure; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, justifications therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2187 BY SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN, ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH, SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P. AND  SHRI  BENNY  BEHANAN  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING MODERNISATION OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE

(a)  to  (f)  Modernisation  of  current  railway  infrastructure  is  a  need based ongoing process subject to operational requirement, technical feasibility, commercial viability, resource availability etc. A number of works  have  been  sanctioned/under  execution  to  modernize  railway infrastructure. Some of them are as under:

1. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) has been introduced in 2017-18 for replacement/renewal/upgradation of critical safety assets,  with  a  corpus  of ` 1  lakh  crore  for  five  years.  From 2017-18  till  2021-22  a  gross  expenditure  of ` 1.08  lakh  crore was incurred on RRSK works.
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems  with  centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6427 stations upto 31.05.2023 to eliminate accident due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11093  level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.05.2023  for  enhancing safety at LC gates.
4. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  for verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6377 stations upto 31.05.2023.
5. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of signaling e.g. mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol,  preparation  of  completion  drawing,  etc.  have  been issued.
6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength  (UTS)  rails,  Prestressed  Concrete  Sleeper  (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with elastic  fastening,  fanshaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track renewals.
11. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
12. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby ensuring safety.
13. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
14. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
15. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
16. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
17. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
18. 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.
19. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of track e.g. integrated  block,  corridor  block,  worksite  safety,  monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
20. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations and to keep a check on rail accidents across the country.
21. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB design coaches is being done.
22. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
23. Safety of railway bridges is ensured through regular inspection of bridges. The requirement of repair/rehabilitation
24. of  bridges  is  taken  up  based  upon  the  conditions  assessed during these inspections.
24. 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.
25. Production Units are providing fire detection and suppression system  in  newly  manufactured  power  cars  and  pantry  cars and fire and smoke detection system in newly manufactured coaches. Progressive fitment of the same in existing coaches is also underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner.
26. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
27. Concept of Rolling Block system introduced wherein work of maintenance/repair/replacement  is  planned  for  2  weeks  in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.
29. Indigenously  developed  automatic  train  protection  system 'KAVACH'  has  been  deployed  on  1465  route  km  and  121 locomotives.  Further,  the  work  is  in  progress  on  about  3000 route km and preparation of DPR has been taken up on about
28. 6000 route km.

In  recent  times,  there  has  been  an  increasing  focus  on  works related to safety, as summarized below:

| SN                | Item                                 | Unit         | During FY 2004-05 to 2013-14   | During FY 2004-05 to 2013-14   | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   | Comparison of the period 2014-23 with the period   |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| SN                | Item                                 | Unit         | Cumulative for 10 years        | Average Per Year               | Cumulative for 9 years         | Average Per Year               | Comparison of the period 2014-23 with the period   |
| A.                | Track Maintenance                    |              |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                    |
| 1.                | Expenditure on Track Renewal Rs. Cr. | In           | 47,018                         | 4,702                          | 91,809                         | 10,201                         | 2.2 Times                                          |
| 2. Rail           | Renewal                              | TKM          | 32,260                         | 3,226                          | 37,284                         | 4,143                          | 1.3 Times                                          |
| 3. Use of         | high KM                              |              | 57,450                         | 5,745                          | 1,23,717                       | 13,746                         | 2.4 Times                                          |
| 4. Longer         | Rail                                 | KM           | 9,917                          | 992                            | 68,233                         | 7,581                          | 7.7 Times                                          |
| 5. USFD Sonic     | (Ultra Flaw detection) Testing of    | TKM          | 20,19,630                      | 2,01,963                       | 26,52,291                      | 2,94,699                       | 1.5 Times                                          |
| 6. USFD Sonic     | (Ultra Flaw detection)               | Nos.         | 79,43,940                      | 7,94,394                       | 1,73,06,046                    | 19,22,894                      | 2.4 Times                                          |
| 7. Track          | KM                                   | TKM          | 14,985                         | 1,499                          | 25,871                         | 2,875                          | 1.9 Times                                          |
| 8. Weld           | failures Nos.                        | In           | 2013-14 : 3699                 | 2013-14 : 3699                 | In 2022-23: 724                | In 2022-23: 724                | 80% Reduction                                      |
| 9. Rail fractures | Nos.                                 | In 2013-14 : | 2548                           | 2548                           | In 2022-23: 531                | In 2022-23: 531                | 79% Reduction                                      |
| 10 Thick          | Web Nos.                             |              | Nil                            | Nil                            | 15,146                         | 1,683                          |                                                    |
| 11 Track          | Nos.                                 | As on        | 31.03.14 = 748                 | 31.03.14 = 748                 | As on 31.03.23 = 1548          | As on 31.03.23 = 1548          | 2.1 Times                                          |
| B. Level          |                                      |              |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                    |
| 1. Elimination    | of Nos.                              |              | As on 31.03.2014:              | As on 31.03.2014:              | As on 31.03.2023: Nil          | As on 31.03.2023: Nil          | 100%                                               |

|                          | Unmanned Level Crossing Gates              |                          | 8948                     | 8948                    | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   | Reduction   |
|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------|
| 2.                       | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates | Nos.                     | 1,137                    | 114                     | 6,291                          | 699                            | 6.2 Times   |
| 3.                       | Construction of Road over Bridges (i.e.    | Nos.                     | 4,148                    | 415                     | 10,867                         | 1,207                          | 2.9 Times   |
| 4.                       | Expenditure on LC Elimination              | Rs. In Cr.               | 5,726                    | 573                     | 30,602                         | 3,400                          | 5.9 Times   |
| C.                       | Bridge Rehabilitation                      |                          |                          |                         |                                |                                |             |
| 1. Expenditure on Bridge | Rehabilitation Rs. In Cr.                  | 3,919                    | 392                      | 6,380                   |                                | 709                            | 1.8 Times   |
| D.                       | Signalling Works                           |                          |                          |                         |                                |                                |             |
| 1. Electronic            | Stations                                   | 837                      |                          | 84                      | 2,521                          | 280                            | 3.3 Times   |
| 2.                       | Automatic Block                            | Km                       | 1,486                    | 148.6                   | 1,915                          | 212.8                          | 1.4 Times   |
| 3.                       | Fog Pass Safety                            | Nos. As on 31.03.14 : 90 | Nos. As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742 | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742        | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742        | 219 Times   |
| E                        | Rolling Stock                              |                          |                          |                         |                                |                                |             |
| 1. Manufacture           | No.                                        | 2,337                    | 234                      | 31,956                  |                                | 3,551                          | 15.2 Times  |
| 2. Provision Fire and    | of Nos. of Coaches                         | 0                        |                          | 0                       | 12,711                         | 1,412                          |             |
| 3. Provision Fire        | of Nos. of Coaches                         | 0                        |                          | 0                       | 2,635                          | 293                            |             |

|    | System in Pantry and Power Cars                                                  |                 |          |        |                               |        |           |
|----|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|----------|--------|-------------------------------|--------|-----------|
| 4. | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches                               | Nos. of Coaches | 0        | 0      | 39,819                        | 4,424  |           |
| F. | Gross Budgetary Support for Railway Investment (GBS FY 23- 24: Rs 2.4 Lakhs Cr.) | Rs. In Cr.      | 1,56,739 | 15,674 | 8,25,967 ( Incl. of BE 23-24) | 82,597 | 5.3 Times |
| G. | Expenditure on safety related works                                              | Rs. In Cr.      | 70,273   | 7,027  | 1,78,012 ( Incl. of BE 23-24) | 17,801 | 2.5 Times |

Occurrence  and  filling  up  of  vacancies  are  continuous  process  on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operations. While 4,11,624 candidates were empanelled during the period 2004-2014 for appointment in Indian Railways, 4,86,031(Provisional) candidates have been empanelled in the 9 years period  from  01.04.2014  to  30.06.2023.  Out  of  the  total  vacancies  of 2,61,233  as  on 01.07.2023,  the  vacancies  of  Operational  Safety categories  are  53,178.  A  massive  recruitment  exercise  has  been completed recently for empanelling 1,39,050 candidates by conducting Computer Based Test (CBT) of approximately 2.37 crore candidates. During  2017-18  to  2020-21,  1,87,375  number  of  track  maintenance officials  have  been  imparted  trainings  across  all  zonal  railways. However,  during  this  period,  training  of  a  fraction of  the  track maintenance officials got deferred due to various reasons like Covid19  situation,  working  requirements,  personal  reasons,  etc.  Further, such cases are dealt on priority  and sent for training at the earliest opportunity.

Details  of  expenditure  incurred  on  'Safety  related  works'  viz.  level crossing, ROB/RUB, track renewal, bridge works and signal & telecom (S&T) works since 2017-18 (Budget data) are as under:

| Year         |   Expenditure (in Cr) |
|--------------|-----------------------|
| 2017-18      |               14307.7 |
| 2018-19      |               15961.6 |
| 2019-20      |               15887   |
| 2020-21      |               20887.8 |
| 2021-22      |               24680.7 |
| 2022-23      |               25179.5 |
| 2023-24 (BE) |               30850.1 |

The total expenditure on such items have been increasing.

In  order  to  augment  railway  infrastructure,  during  2014-23,  total  25, 871 km new tracks @ 2,875 km/year have been commissioned which is about  89%  more  than  average  commissioning  during  2009-14  (1,520 km/year). Further, as on 01.04.2023, there are 459 railway infrastructure projects (189 New Lines, 39 Gauge Conversions and 231 Doubling) of total length 46,360 km are in planning/approval/construction stages.

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