Lok Sabha Question No. 2979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Deaths of Railway Track maintainers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Sharmila Sarkar, Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2979 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## DEATHS OF RAILWAY TRACK MAINTAINERS

2979.     SHRI JAGADISH CHANDRA BARMA BASUNIA: DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of deaths of track maintainers due to rail accidents since 2014, year and railway zone-wise;
- (b) the details of the number of contractual employees of these track maintainers and the details of the compensation given to their families; and
- (c) the  number  of  divisions  of  the  railways  wherein  the  RAKSHAK system  has  been  introduced  and  along  with  the  Government  plans  to expand it to other divisions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c) Following measures have been taken for the safety and welfare of track maintenance employees:
- i. Track maintainers have been equipped with essential safety gears while  working  in  hazardous  environments.  The  major  safety equipment like Retro Reflective Safety Jackets (Luminous Vests), Safety  Shoes,  Gloves,  Safety  Helmet  with  detachable  miner's
- light, Tricolour Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3 cell Torch, Rain Coat, Winter Jacket etc. have been provided to them.
- ii. In order to enhance efficiency and reduce physical strain of these employees,  Light  Weight  Tools  and  equipment  like  Spanner, Hammer, Crowbar  etc.  have  been  provided.  In  addition,  battery/ hydraulic operated machines and automated systems have been devised  for  light  maintenance  tasks  like  extracting/  inserting fittings, tightening bolts, lubrication of rails joints etc. to minimize
- physical fatigue and improve productivity.
- iii. Mechanized maintenance of tracks using various types of Track Machines  have  been  introduced  for  all  types  of  strenuous  jobs such  as  tamping,  ballast  cleaning,  lifting  &  aligning  of  track  as well as grinding, cutting, drilling of rails etc. to reduce the manual efforts.  Multi  utility/  Rail  borne  vehicles  have  been  provided  for
- track maintenance to mobile gangs.
- iv. To  reinforce  safety  practices,  regular  counselling  and  medical examinations  are  carried out. Regular  training sessions  are conducted  to  raise  awareness  about  potential  hazards.  The "Personal Safety First" programme with proper safety protocols is conducted through seminars and workshops, where these employees are trained on 'How to stay safe while working on or near the track'.
- v. Regular training programs on track safety rules, use of machines/ tools, first-aid etc. are conducted through Zonal Training Centres (ZTC) with practical and visual training aids for better appreciation.
- vi. As  regard  to  welfare  measures  to  employees,  they  have  been provided Gang Tools cum Rest Room, Gang Huts, Toilet's facilities at  manned  level  crossing,  Water  bottle  (2  litre,  heat  insulated), family  accommodation  to  take  care  of  education  and  health  of

dependents.  Further,  Risk  and  Hardship  Allowances  has  been provided according to nature of duty of the track maintainers.

- vii. Flexibility in duty roaster as per climatic conditions and requirements  are  permitted.          Recognition  and  awards  for exemplary performance in safety and maintenance of tracks are done for encouragement of track maintainers.
- viii. VHF based Approaching Train Warning System gives an advance warning  to  staff  through  handheld  VHF  Receiver  device  on changing  Advance  Starter  Signal  to  Green  for  coming  train  in block section. These devices are being provided to staff working on  railway  track  of  all  routes  for  added  safety  in  addition  to normal  protection  precautions.  This  system  is  being  introduced progressively  across  Indian  Railways  network.  About  340  block sections have been covered so far with this system.

As a result of the above safety measures, there has been reduction in no. of  deaths  of  railway  staff  during  track  maintenance  work  from  196  in 2013-14  to  an  average  of  67  per  year  in  the  last  5  years,  which  is  a reduction of about 66%.

Accident  victims  are  paid  ex-gratia  relief  soon  after  an  accident  or untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to the next  of  kin  of  deceased  individuals  in  train  accidents.  The  matters  of contractual employees are dealt promptly as per provisions and terms & conditions of contract.

Compensation  for  death and injury of railway passengers  in train accidents  and  untoward  incidents,  as  defined  under  Section  124  and Section  124-A  (read  with  Section  123)  of  the  Railways  Act,  1989,  is decided  by  Railway  Claims  Tribunal  (RCT)  on  the  basis  of  a  claim application  filed  by  the  victims/their  dependents  before  RCT  and  it disposes  of  the  cases  after  following  the  due  judicial  process.  Railway Administration pays compensation when a decree is awarded by Hon'ble RCT  in  favour  of  the  claimant  and  Railways  decide  to  implement  the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount.

Ex-gratia  compensation  is  a  financial  assistance  (Rs.25  lakhs  w.e.f. 01.01.2016) paid by the Railways to the family/dependants of an employee in the event of death due to accidents while performing official duty etc.

Expeditious disbursement of ex gratia amount depends on several factors such as timely submission of required documents (viz. legal heir certificate), family disputes/rival claims, verification of the cause of death etc.

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