Lok Sabha Question No. 3781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Compensation paid by the Railways for Death and Injury
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## COMPENSATION PAID BY THE RAILWAYS FOR DEATH AND INJURY

## 3781. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of railway accidents in the last five years and the details thereof particularly in Punjab, year, zonal-wise;
- (b) the  details  of  number  of  deaths  and  passenger  got  injured  due  to railway accidents in the last five years, year and zone-wise;
- (c) the  details  of  causes  identified  and  the  percentage  contribution  of each factor to these accidents, year, zone-wise;
- (d) the details of amount of compensation provided by railways for death and injury, separately in the last five years, year and zone-wise;
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to improve railway safety and reduce the occurrence of major accidents particularly in high risk areas in Punjab; and
- (f) the amount of budget allocated and spent on railway safety measures, infrastructure upgradation and  technology enhancements during the last five years particularly for Punjab?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there  has  been  a  steep  decline  in  the  number  of  accidents.  Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 40 in 2023-24 as shown in  the  graph  below.    The  causes  of  these  accidents  broadly  include  track defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors etc.

It  may  be  noted  that  the  consequential  train  accidents  during  the period  2004-14  was  1711  (average  171  per  annum),  which  has  declined  to 678  during  the  period  2014-24  (average  68  per  annum)  i.e.  a  reduction  of 60%.

Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents  Per  Million  Train  Kilometer  (APMTKM)  which  has  reduced  from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2023-24, indicating an improvement of approx. 73% during the said period.

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Consequential  Train  Accidents  on  Indian  Railways  and  casualties (including railway passengers and railway personnel) therein are as follows:

| Period             |   No. of Consequential Train Accidents |   No. of Deaths |   No. of Injuries |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14 |                                   1711 |             904 |              3155 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 |                                    678 |             748 |              2087 |

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 and injured in train accidents in last 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-24) is Rs. 38.30 Cr. (Death Cases- Rs. 30.80 Cr., and Injury Cases- Rs. 7.50 Cr.).

Compensation for death/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 only 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. Total amount of compensation  paid  by  the  Railways  to  the  next  of  kin  of  deceased  and injured in train accidents in last 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-24) is Rs. 29.57 Cr. (Death Cases- Rs. 23.63 Cr. and Injury Cases- Rs. 5.94 Cr.)

It  may  be  noted  that  the  compensation  paid  in  a  year  need  not necessarily relate to the accidents/ casualties in that year alone. The amount paid in a year depends upon the number of cases finalized by Railway Claims Tribunals (RCTs) or other Courts of Law in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident they pertain to, have occurred.

## SAFETY MEASURES

Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:-

1. On  Indian  Railways,  the  expenditure  on  Safety  related  activities  has increased over the years as under:
2. Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  Systems  with  centralized  operation  of points and signals have been provided at 6,612 stations up to 30.11.2024 to eliminate accident due to human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at  11,082 level Crossing Gates up to 30.11.2024 for enhancing safety at LC gates.
4. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6,620 stations up to 30.11.2024.
5. Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive  system,  which  requires  safety certification  of  highest  order.  Kavach  was  adopted  as  a  National  ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner. Kavach has already been deployed on 1548 RKm on South Central Railway and  North  Central  Railway.  Presently,  the  work  is  in  progress  on  DelhiMumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  corridors  (approximately  3000  Route  Km). Track  side  works  on  these  routes  have  been  completed  on  about  1969 RKm. Regular trials are being done on these sections.
6. 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.
7. System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as  per protocol has been re-emphasized.
8. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices  (VCD)  to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
9. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified  territories  to  alert  the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
13. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
14. Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD)  testing  of  rails  to  detect  flaws  and timely removal of defective rails.
15. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
16. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
17. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in  turnout renewal works.
19. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and  educate staff for observance of safe practices.
20. 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.
21. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track e.g. integrated block,  corridor  block,  worksite  safety,  monsoon  precautions  etc.  have been issued.
22. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
23. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB  design coaches is being done.
24. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG)  route  have been eliminated by January 2019.
25. 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.
26. Indian  Railways  has  displayed  Statutory  'Fire  Notices'  for  widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are provided in every coach so as to educate 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.
27. Production Units are providing Fire detection and suppression system in newly  manufactured  Power  Cars  and  Pantry  Cars,  Fire  and  Smoke
28. detection system in newly manufactured coaches. Progressive fitment of the  same  in  existing  coaches  is  also  underway  by  Zonal  Railways  in  a phased manner.
28. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
29. Concept  of  Rolling  Block  introduced  in  Indian  Railways  (Open  Lines) General Rules vide Gazette  notification dated 30.11.2023, wherein work of  integrated  maintenance/repair/replacement of assets is planned up to 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.

| Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                         | 2022-23 (Act)                                           | 2023-24(Act)                                            | BE 2024-25                                              |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                    | 18,115                                                  | 20,322                                                  | 21,386                                                  |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock           | 27,086                                                  | 30,864                                                  | 31,494                                                  |
| Maintenance of Machines                                 | 9,828                                                   | 10,772                                                  | 11,864                                                  |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                          | 5,347                                                   | 6,662                                                   | 9,980                                                   |
| Track Renewals                                          | 16,326                                                  | 17,850                                                  | 17,652                                                  |
| Bridge Works                                            | 1,050                                                   | 1,907                                                   | 2,137                                                   |
| Signal & Telecom Works                                  | 2,456                                                   | 3,751                                                   | 4,647                                                   |

| Workshops Incl. PUs and   | 7,119   | 9,523    | 9,615    |
|---------------------------|---------|----------|----------|
| Total                     | 87,327  | 1,01,651 | 1,08,776 |

The  details  of  the  Safety  related  works  undertaken  by  Railways  are tabulated below:-

| SN   | Item                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24   | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
|      | Track Maintenance                                             | Track Maintenance    | Track Maintenance    | Track Maintenance     |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Track Renewal (Rs. in Cr.)                     | 47,038               | 1,09,577             | 2.33 times            |
| 2.   | Rail Renewal Primary (Track Km)                               | 32,260               | 43,335               | 1.34 times            |
| 3.   | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                        | 57,450               | 1,23,717             | 2.15 times            |
| 4.   | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                                | 9,917                | 68,233               | 6.88 times            |
| 5.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails (Track km) | 20,19,630            | 26,52,291            | 1.31 times            |
| 6.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.)     | 79,43,940            | 1,73,06,046          | 2.17 times            |
| 7.   | New Track KM added (Track km)                                 | 14,985               | 31,180               | 2.08 times            |
| 8.   | Weld failures (Nos.)                                          | In 2013-14: 3699     | In 2023-24: 481      | 87% reduction         |
| 9.   | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                         | In 2013-14: 2548     | In 2023-24: 383      | 85% reduction         |
| 10   | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                     | Nil                  | 21,127               |                       |

| 11   | Track Machines (Nos.)                                                        | As on 31.03.14 = 748            | As on 31.03.24 = 1,661                           | 122% increase                   |
|------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|      | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                                              | Level Crossing Gate Elimination | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                  | Level Crossing Gate Elimination |
| 1.   | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)                          | As on 31.03.14: 8948            | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% reduction                  |
| 2.   | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)                            | 1,137                           | 7,075                                            | 6.21 Times                      |
| 3.   | Road over Bridges (RoBs)/ Road under Bridges (RUBs) (Nos.)                   | 4,148                           | 11,945                                           | 2.88 Times                      |
| 4.   | Expenditure on LC Elimination (LC+ROB+RUB)                                   | 8,825                           | 41,957                                           | 4.75 Times                      |
|      | Bridge Rehabilitation                                                        | Bridge Rehabilitation           | Bridge Rehabilitation                            | Bridge Rehabilitation           |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)                            | 3,924                           | 8,255                                            | 2.10 Times                      |
|      | Signalling Works                                                             | Signalling Works                | Signalling Works                                 | Signalling Works                |
| 1.   | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                                           | 837                             | 2,964                                            | 3.52 times                      |
| 2.   | Automatic Block Signaling (Km)                                               | 1,486                           | 2,497                                            | 1.67 times                      |
| 3.   | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                                               | As on 31.03.14: 90              | As on 31.03.24: 19,742                           | 219 times                       |
|      | Rolling Stock                                                                |                                 |                                                  |                                 |
| 1.   | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                                            | 2,337                           | 36,933                                           | 15.80 times                     |
| 2.   | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches) | 0                               | 19,271                                           |                                 |

|   3. | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars (Nos. of Coaches)   |   0 | 2,991   |
|------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|---------|
|    4 | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non - AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                           |   0 | 66,840  |

During last five years i.e 2019-20 to 2023-24 expenditure of Rs. 959712 Cr. has been  incurred by Indian Railways for Safety Measures,  infrastructure augmentation & upgradation and technology improvement etc.

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