Lok Sabha Question No. 392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Safety Measures for Railway Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## SAFETY MEASURES FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

392. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has data regarding the status of development of  Calicut  Railway  Station  and  if  so,  the  details  regarding  the  same including expected date of completion of the works;
- (b) whether the Government has observed that a large number of railway underpasses such as those at Nalloor in Feroke was closed which affects a large number of daily commuters and if so, the details of steps taken to address the problems of commuters;
- (c) whether the trackmen in Railways are given adequate safety measures such as use of Rakshak and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  if not, the details of steps taken for the safety of railway Keymen in the country; and
- (e) the total number of railway employees who lost their lives due to train accidents during work and details of measures taken to compensate their families across the country ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 392 BY SHRI M K RAGHAVAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA  ON  24.07.2024  REGARDING  SAFETY  MEASURES  FOR  RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. (a)  Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  'Amrit  Bharat  Station  scheme'  for development of Stations on Indian Railways. Kozhikode (Calicut) railway station falling in the state of Kerala has been identified for redevelopment under this scheme. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a  long  term  approach.  It  involves  preparation  of  Master  Plans  and  their implementation  in  phases  to  improve  the  amenities  at  the  stations  like improvement  of  station  access,  circulating  areas,  waiting  halls,  toilets, lift/escalators  as  necessary,  cleanliness,  free  Wi-Fi,  kiosks  for  local products through schemes like 'One Station One Product', better passenger information  systems,  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces  for  business meetings,  landscaping  etc.  keeping  in  view  the  necessity  at  each  such station. The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating  the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast  less  tracks,  etc.  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and creation of city centres at the station in the long term. Tender for redevelopment of Kozhikode Railway Station has been awarded and the works have started. Further,  development / redevelopment / upgradation  of  Railway  Stations  is complex  in  nature  involving  safety  of  passengers  &  trains  and  requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brown field related challenges such as shifting of utilities, (involving water/sewage

lines,  optical  fiber  cables,  gas  pipe  lines,  power/signal  cables  etc.,) infringements, encroachments,  operation  of  trains without passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in close proximity of  high voltage power lines etc . completion time . Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage hindering and these factors affect  the . (b)  Few bridges designated  for waterway use are used for crossing the track by pedestrian / vehicular traffic as an underpass. Use of waterway bridge  openings  is  not  permitted  for  road  /  pedestrian  movement  on technical considerations for safety of Water-way Bridge and also safety of road user / pedestrians. Water-way Bridge is designed to pass flood water through its openings without affecting the safety of embankment / bridge of railway lines. However, in exceptional cases where the location is a source/potential source of trespass, affecting safety in train operations, mobility of trains and conditions of infrastructures adversely, Subway/ FOB may be provided at nearby suitable location depending on feasibility, & priority. (c)  &  (d)  Following  practices  are  observed  regularly  for  safety  of  Track Maintainer: 1.  Regular  counselling  is  done  by  senior  supervisors  and  officers  and through  seminars/workshops  for  'Personal  Safety  First'  while  working on/near to track. Necessary protection measures like hand flags, banner flags, detonators, whistles, RAKSHAK equipments etc. are provided as per requirement. 2.  Personal  protective  equipments  viz.  Luminous  vests,  Safety  helmets, miner light/tri-colour torch, safety shoes and light weight improved tools &

- equipment have been provided to Track Maintainers.

3.  Lookout  men  are  also  deputed  where  necessary  to  watch  for  the approaching train. 4.  Periodic  medical  examinations  are  done  to  ascertain  the  fitness  of keymen. (e) Indian Railways have a scheme  for providing appointment on compassionate ground to dependents of Railway Servants who lose their lives in the course of duty or die in harness while in service or are medically incapacitated/decategorised subject to fulfilment of terms and conditions for such appointments. As per extant instructions, the General Managers of all Zonal Railways/Production Units (PUs) have been empowered to grant Ex-gratia lump-sum compensation to the families of Railway employees in case of death occurring due to accidents in the course of performance of duties.

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