Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Consequential Rail Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## CONSEQUENTIAL RAIL ACCIDENTS

*131. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of 'Consequential Rail Accidents' including derailment, collisions, fire and level crossing accidents during the last ten years;
- (b) the number of lives lost due to rail accidents during the said period;
- (c) the reasons for the accidents, especially collisions and derailment;
- (d) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  there  is  a  lack  of  modern  signalling  and  train control  systems  and  shortage  of  critical  safety  spaces  besides  lack  of inspection; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## 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  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  131  BY  SMT.  KANIMOZHI  KARUNANIDHI  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING CONSEQUENTIAL RAIL ACCIDENTS

(a)  to  (e):  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 including derailments, collisions, fire and level crossing 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. 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 staff therein are as follows:

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

Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  on  Indian  Railways.  The  various safety  measures  including  those  for  upgradation/modernization  of  Signalling System 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:

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

2. Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  Systems  with  centralized  operation  of points and signals have been provided at 6,608 stations up to 31.10.2024 to eliminate accident due to human failure.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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 1081 RKm (705 RKm  on  Delhi-Mumbai  section  and  376  RKm  on  Delhi-Howrah  section). 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 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.

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                         |                      |                      |                       |
| 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                               |                      |                                                 |                |
| 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                                         |                      |                                                 |                |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)             | 3,924                | 8,255                                           | 2.10 Times     |
|      | 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 |             |

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