Lok Sabha Question No. 86 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Collision of Trains at Balasore
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan, Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  86 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## COLLISON OF TRAINS AT BALASORE

- *86.    SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN :
- SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN : Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
- (a) whether it is a  fact that there was a major train accident, involving three  trains  (two  passenger  trains  and  one  goods  train)  in  Balasore District, Odisha on 2nd  June 2023;
- (b) if  so,  the  total  number of persons died, seriously injured and persons with minor injuries in this accident;
- (c) the  amount  of  compensation  paid  to  the  next  of  kin  and  also  to  the injured;
- (d) whether  any  probe  has  been  ordered  by  the  Government  into  the incident;
- (e) if so, whether the Commission of Railway Safety has since submitted a report in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the said report has suggested many measures to prevent such incidents in the future; and
- (g) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Railways in  this regard along with the action taken/proposed to be taken against those found responsible for such accident?

## 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.

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.86  BY  SHRI  V.K.  SREEKANDAN  AND  SHRI  THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  26.07.2023 REGARDING COLLISON OF TRAINS AT BALASORE. (a) to (g): The details are as under: (1) In  the  unfortunate  Balasore  train  accident  on  02.06.2023,  295 passengers lost their lives, 176 sustained grievous injuries, 451 suffered simple injuries and 180 received First Aid Treatment and left. (figures as on 14.07.2023) (2) A payment of enhanced ex-gratia @ Rs.10 lakh each to the next of kin  of  the  deceased,  @  Rs.2  lakh  each  to  the  grievously  injured  and  @ Rs.50000 each to the passenger with  simple  injury  has  been  made.  Till 20.07.2023, an amount of Rs. 30.22 Crores has been paid as ex-gratia. In addition to this, Railways pays compensation as per decree passed by Railway  Claims  Tribunal  (RCT)  on  the  compensation  claims  application filed by the victims or their  dependents.  Railway  Claims  Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi has taken suo-moto cognizance of the unfortunate rail accident.  It has passed judicial order dated 15.06.2023 to respective benches to settle the claim cases  expeditiously.  As  on  13.07.2023,  258 claim cases have been received in various benches of the Railway Claims Tribunal, out of which 51 claims cases have been disposed off. (3) The incident has been inquired by the statutory body, Commissioner of  Railway  Safety.  Further,  Government  has  notified  for  probe  by  the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is proceeding as per law. (4) The  CRS  has  submitted  the  final  inquiry  report.  The  Cause  of  the accident has been established by CRS as under: The rear-collision was due to the lapses in the signalling- circuit-alteration carried  out  at  the  North  Signal  Goomty  (of  the  station)  in  the  past,  and during  the  execution  of  the  signalling  work  related  to  replacement  of Electric Lifting Barrier for level crossing gate no. 94 at the Station. These lapses resulted in wrong signalling to the Train No. 12841 wherein the UP Home Signal indicated Green aspect for run-through movement on the UP main line of the station, but the crossover connecting the UP main line to the UP loop line (crossover 17 A/B) was set to the UP loop line; the wrong signalling resulted in the Train No. 12841 traversing on the UP loop line, and  eventual  rear-collision  with  the  Goods  train  (No.  N/DDIP)  standing there.

- (5) CRS  has  suggested  measures/recommendations  to  prevent  such incidents in the future. The recommendations  of  CRS  are being implemented.

Indian  Railways  has  taken  the  following  measures  over  the  years  to improve safety of train operations:

1. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) has been introduced in 201718  for  replacement/renewal/upgradation  of  critical  safety  assets, with a corpus of ` 1 lakh crore for five years. From 2017-18 till 202122, a Gross expenditure of Rs. 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 Signalling 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 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, 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.

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

## Data Table for  IR Safety Performance

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

|    | Unmanned Level Crossing Gates                                                |                  | 8948                |                     | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   | Reducti on   |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------|
| 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. Flyovers)/ Road under 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 Interlocking                                                      | Stati ons        | 837                 | 84                  | 2,521                          | 280                            | 3.3 Times    |
| 2. | Automatic Block Signaling                                                    | Km               | 1,486               | 148.6               | 1,915                          | 212.8                          | 1.4 Times    |
| 3. | Fog Pass Safety                                                              | Nos.             | As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742        | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742        | 219 Times    |
| E  | Rolling Stock                                                                |                  |                     |                     |                                |                                |              |
| 1. | Manufacture of LHB Coaches                                                   | No.              | 2,337               | 234                 | 31,956                         | 3,551                          | 15.2 Times   |
| 2. | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in coaches                      | Nos. of Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 12,711                         | 1,412                          |              |
| 3. | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars  | Nos. of Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 2,635                          | 293                            |              |
| 4. | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches                           | Nos. of Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 39,819                         | 4,424                          |              |
| F. | Gross Budgetary                                                              | Rs. In Cr.       | 1,56,739            | 15,674              | 8,25,967 ( Incl. of            | 82,597                         | 5.3 Times    |

|    | Support for Railway Investment (GBS FY 23-24 : Rs 2.4 Lakhs Cr.)   |            |        |       | BE 23- 24)                     |        |           |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------|-------|--------------------------------|--------|-----------|
| 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 |

Owing to these steps, there has been a significant improvement in the safety performance of Indian Railways over the years, as shown below: The trend of consequential train accidents from 2000-01 to 2022-23:

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It may be noted from the graph above, that there is a steep decline in the number  of  consequential  train  accidents  from  473  in  2000-01  to  48  in 2022-23.

The average number of consequential train accidents during the period, 2004-14 was 171  per annum, while the average number of consequential train accidents during the period, 2014-23 has declined to 71 per annum.

(6) Seven (07) Railway officials have been suspended and major penalty departmental proceedings have been initiated against them.

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