Lok Sabha Question No. 396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Status of National Rail Plan, 2030
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia, Adv. Adoor Prakash, Shri Benny Behanan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 396 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## STATUS OF NATIONAL RAIL PLAN, 2030

396.  SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRI TANUJ PUNIA; ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  coverage  of  Kavach  Safety  system  in  terms  of  length, along with the percentage of coverage in regards to the total rail network;
- (b) current  status  of  the  National  Rail  Plan,  2030,  including  the progress made towards identifying new dedicated freight and high-speed rail corridors; and
- (c) the  numbers  of  reported  rail  accidents  during  the  past  five years and the reasons increasing number of rail accidents and measures taken by the Government to address the situation?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.396  BY  SHRI  BENNY  BEHANAN,  SHRI TANUJ PUNIA AND ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.11.2024 REGARDING STATUS OF NATIONAL RAIL PLAN,

2030.

## (a) &  (c):

- i. 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, which include consequential train derailments also, 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. An accident  might  cause  damage  to  the  Railway  property  that includes  track,  rolling  stock,  OHE  equipment,  signaling  gears 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).

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 therein: Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and casualties therein: Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and

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

## SAFETY MEASURES SAFETY MEASURES

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

- i. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:
- ii. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,608 stations  up  to  31.10.2024  to  reduce  accidents  due  to  human failure.
- iii. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,053  level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.10.2024  for  enhancing safety at LC gates.

| 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 Misc. expenditure on Safety     | 7,119                                                   | 9,523                                                   | 9,615      |
| Total                                                   | 87,327                                                  | 1,01,651                                                | 1,08,776   |

- iv. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  by verification  of  track  occupancy  by electrical  means  has  been provided at 6,619 stations up to 31.10.2024.
- v. 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  1081  RKm  (  705  RKm  on  Delhi-Mumbai section and 376 RKm on Delhi-Howrah section ). Regular trials are being done on these sections.
- vi. 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.
- vii. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
- viii. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
- ix. 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.
- x. 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.

xi. 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.

xii. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.

xiii. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.

xiv. Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD)  testing  of  rails  to  detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.

xv. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.

xvi. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).

xvii. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.

xviii. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.

xix. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.

xx. 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. --6/-

xxi. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track e.g. integrated  block,  corridor  block,  worksite  safety,  monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.

xxii. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.

xxiii. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB design coaches is being done.

xxiv. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.

xxv. 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.

xxvi. 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.

xxvii. 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.

xxviii.

Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.

xxix. 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.

## 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            |

| S N   | Item                                                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013- 14   | 2014-15 to 2023- 24    | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|-----------------------|
|       | 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                 |                       |
| 5.    | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                                                                | As on 31.03.14: 90    | As on 31.03.24: 19,742 | 219 times             |

## Further, regarding Kavach safety system-

1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.  Kavach  is  a  highly  technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of train within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot  fails  to  do  so  and  also  helps  the  trains  to  run  safely during inclement weather.
3. The first  field  trials  on  the  passenger  trains  were  started  in February 2016. Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach ver 3.2.
4. 4.
5. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
5. Implementation  of  Kavach  System  involves  following  Key Activities:
- a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.
8. b.
9. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
10. c.
11. d.
12. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
13. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
6. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South  Central  Railway,  lot  of  experience  was  gained.  Using that further improvements were made.   Finally, Kavach

- 11.
- specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.
7. Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety  for  Indian  Railways.  Within  a  short  period,  IR  has developed,  tested  and  started  deploying  Automatic  Train
- Protection System.
8. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy,  Improved  Information  of  Signal  Aspects  in  bigger yard,  Station  to  Station  Kavach  interface  on  OFC  and  Direct Interface  to  existing  Electronic  Interlocking  System.  With these improvements, now large scale deployment has started.
9. Kavach  has  already  been  deployed  on  1548  RKm  on  South Central  Railway  and  North  Central  Railway.  Presently,  the work  is  in  progress  on  Delhi-  Mumbai  &  Delhi-  Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route km). Track side works on these  routes  have  been  completed on  about  1081  RKM  (705 RKm on Delhi-Mumbai section and 376 RKm on Delhi-Howrah section). Regular trials are being done on these sections.
10. Progress  of  Key  items  comprising  Kavach  system  on  above mentioned routes upto Oct' 2024 is as under:-
- a.
- Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 4960 Km
- b. Installation of Telecom Towers: 378 Nos.
- c. Provision of Kavach at Stations: 381 Nos.
- d. Provision of Kavach in Loco: 482 Locos
- e.
- Installation of Track side equipment: 1948 RKm.
- Next phase of Kavach implementation is planned as under:-
- a. Project for equipping 10,000 Locomotives has been

finalized.

- b. Bids  for  track  side  Works  of  Kavach  for  approximately 15000  RKm  have  been  invited,  out  of  which  Bids  for about 9000Rkm have been opened.  It covers all GQ, GD,
2. HDN and Identified sections of Indian Railways.
12. Currently, 3 OEMs are approved for supply of Kavach System. To increase capacity and scale of implementation, trials and approval of more OEMs are at different stages.
13. Specialized training programme on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than 9000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
5. (b):  Regarding Status of National Rail Plan, 2030-

Presently,  Ministry  of  Railways  has  taken  up  construction  of two  Dedicated  Freight  Corridors  (DFC)  viz.  Eastern  Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1337 Km) and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri (1506 Km). Till September, total 2741 Km (96.4%) route commissioned out of total 2843 Km. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor consisting of 1337 Km has been completed and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor  consisting  of  1404  Km  has  been  completed.  The Vaitarna-JNPT  (102  km)  section  of  WDFC  is  expected  to  be completed by Dec, 2025.

Further, Ministry of Railways has assigned the work related to preparation  of  Survey/  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  for  the following three (03) new Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL):-

- i.
- East- Coast Corridor: Kharagpur to Vijayawada
- ii. East-West corridor :
- (a)
- Palghar - BhusawaI - Nagpur - Kharagpur - Dankuni
- (b) Rajkharsawan - Kalipahari - Andal
- North-South Sub-corridor: Vijayawada-Nagpur-ltarsi
- iii.

None of the above corridor has been sanctioned yet. Being highly capital  intensive,  the  sanction  of  any  DFC  projects  depends on several  factors  such  as  technical  feasibility,  financial  viability and availability of financing options etc.

## High Speed Rail Project

Presently, Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project is  the  only  sanctioned  High  Speed  Rail  project  in  the  Country which is being implemented with technical & financial assistance from Government of Japan.

Further,  Ministry  of  Railways  has  assigned  the  work  for  the preparation  of  Survey/Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  for  the following seven new High Speed Rail (HSR) corridors to National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), out of which six (06) DPRs are under examination and DPR of Varanasi-Howrah is under preparation:

- i. Delhi-Varanasi
- ii. Delhi-Ahmedabad
3. iii.
4. Mumbai-Nagpur
5. iv.
6. v.
7. Mumbai-Hyderabad
8. Chennai-Mysore
- vi. Delhi-Amritsar
- vii. Varanasi-Howrah

None  of  the  above  corridor  has  been  sanctioned  yet.  Being highly  capital  intensive,  the  sanction  of  any  High  Speed  Rail technical financing

Project depends on several factors such as feasibility, financial viability and availability of options etc.

*****