Lok Sabha Question No. 3302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Safety Measures in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3302 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## SAFETY MEASURES IN RAILWAYS

3302.   SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether safety audits at all levels are being conducted in Railways with a view to prevent accidents;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any road-map and comprehensive safety plan is prepared to improve safety technique, inspection, monitoring and periodical review of safety measures;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether hi-end technology are being used to ensure safety of the train/passengers, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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.  3302  BY  SHRI  MANOJ  KOTAK  AND SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2023 REGARDING SAFETY MEASURES IN RAILWAYS.

- (a) & (b):  Two types of Safety Audits are being conducted by Railways regularly, viz.:
- (i)    Bi-monthly  safety  audit  by  the  individual  Zonal  Railway  of  its  own
- divisions; and
- (ii) An inter- zonal railway safety audit conducted twice a year, in blocks of January to June and July to December, by a multi-disciplinary team of Railway officers.

The  basic  purpose  of  such  audits  is  to  identify  weak  areas  in  asset maintenance,  safety  procedures  &  systemic  defects  and  to  provide ways and means to prevent accidents.

- (c) to (e): The safety measures, including those using hi-end technology, taken to avoid train accidents include the following:
1. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) has been introduced in 201718  for  replacement/renewal/upgradation  of  critical  safety  assets, with  a  corpus  of  Rs.  1  lakh  crore  for  five  years.  From  2017-18  till 2021-22 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.
- The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in
16. 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 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 has been introduced wherein work of maintenance/repair/replacement is planned for 2 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.
28. Axle  counters  for  automatic  clearance  of  Block  Section  and  BPAC (Block Proving Axle Counter) are provided to ensure complete arrival of  train  without  manual  intervention.    These  systems  have  been provided on 6397 Block Sections up to 31.05.2023.
29. Indigenously developed automatic train protection system 'KAVACH'  has  been  adopted  as  an  aid  to  the  loco  pilot  in  train running  within  specified  speed  limits,  as  also  during  inclement weather.

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

| SN   | Item   | Unit   | During FY 2004-05 to 2013-14   |                  | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   |                  | Compar ison of          |
|------|--------|--------|--------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------|
|      |        |        | Cumulativ e for 10 years       | Average Per Year | Cumulative for 9 years         | Average Per Year | the period 2014- 23 the |
|      |        |        |                                |                  |                                |                  | with                    |

|    |                                                    |            |                        |                        |                                                    |                                                    | period 2004- 14   |
|----|----------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| A. | Track Maintenance                                  |            |                        |                        |                                                    |                                                    |                   |
| 1. | Expenditure on Track Renewal                       | Rs. In Cr. | 47,018                 | 4,702                  | 91,809                                             | 10,201                                             | 2.2 Times         |
| 2. | Rail Renewal Primary                               | TKM        | 32,260                 | 3,226                  | 37,284                                             | 4,143                                              | 1.3 Times         |
| 3. | Use of high quality rails (60 Kg)                  | KM         | 57,450                 | 5,745                  | 1,23,717                                           | 13,746                                             | 2.4 Times         |
| 4. | Longer Rail Panels (260m)                          | KM         | 9,917                  | 992                    | 68,233                                             | 7,581                                              | 7.7 Times         |
| 5. | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails | TKM        | 20,19,630              | 2,01,963               | 26,52,291                                          | 2,94,699                                           | 1.5 Times         |
| 6. | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds | Nos.       | 79,43,940              | 7,94,394               | 1,73,06,046                                        | 19,22,894                                          | 2.4 Times         |
| 7. | Track KM added                                     | TKM        | 14,985                 | 1,499                  | 25,871                                             | 2,875                                              | 1.9 Times         |
| 8. | Weld failures                                      | Nos.       | In 2013-14 : 3699      | In 2013-14 : 3699      | In 2022-23: 724                                    | In 2022-23: 724                                    | 80% Reducti on    |
| 9. | Rail fractures                                     | Nos.       | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2022-23: 531                                    | In 2022-23: 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 31.03.14 = 748   | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                              | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                              | 2.1 Times         |
| B. | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                    |            |                        |                        |                                                    |                                                    |                   |
| 1. | Elimination of Unmanned Level Nos.                 |            | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% 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                                                                       |                  |                     |                     |                         |                         |             |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation                                         | Rs. In Cr.       | 3,919               | 392 6,380           |                         | 709                     | 1.8 Times   |
| D.   | Signalling Works                                                             |                  |                     |                     |                         |                         |             |
| 1.   | Electronic Interlocking Statio ns                                            | 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 | 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 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             | 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 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 |

Regular safety reviews are held at all the levels of Railways. Security Measures:The following steps are being taken by Railways for security and safety of passengers in trains:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are  escorted daily  by  Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States.
2. For immediate assistance, passengers can lodge complaint on Rail Madad  Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  (integrated with National Emergency No. 112).
3. Railway are in regular touch with passengers through various social media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook,  koo  etc.  to  address  their security concerns.
4. Frequent  announcements  are  made  through  the  Public  Address System  to  educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  against  theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5. Surveillance is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras  provided  in  7264 coaches in trains and 866 Railway stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6. Under  'Meri  Saheli'  initiative,  focused  attention  has  been  provided for  safety  and  security  of  lady  passengers  travelling  alone  by  long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
7. Zonal  railways  have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  proper combined  strength  of  male  &  female  RPF/RPSF  personnel  in  train escort parties, to the extent possible.
8. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police of States/Union Territories for regular  monitoring  and  review  of  security  arrangements  of  the Railways.
9. In  addition to the above, 266 Baggage Scanners, 77 Under Vehicle Scanning System (UVSS) and 292 Bomb Detection & Disposal items, 1041  Door  Frame  Metal  Detectors  (DFMD),  5981  Hand  Held  Metal Detectors  (HHMD)  and  1255  Body  worn  camera  have  also  been provided to ensure safety and security of passengers.

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