Lok Sabha Question No. 388 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Policy to reduce Railway Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 388 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## POLICY TO REDUCE RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

†388. SHRI  ZIA UR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government has formulated any new policy to bring down the number of railway accidents in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of policies implemented in this regard;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the time by when said policies are likely to be implemented by the government?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 388 BY SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.11.2024 REGARDING POLICY TO REDUCE RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

(a)  to  (d):  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).

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.

<!-- image -->

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 6,608 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 Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors ( approximately 3000  Route  Km).  Track  side  works  on  these  routes  have  been completed on about 1081 RKm( 705RKm 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
22. 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.

| 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                                                |

## 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                               | 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    |

| S N   | Item                                                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24   | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
|       | Rolling Stock                                                                                 | Rolling Stock        | Rolling Stock        | 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               |                       |

*****