Lok Sabha Question No. 1128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Violation of Safety Rules
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed, Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1128 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## VIOLATION OF SAFETY RULES

1128.   SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED: PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of safety rule violations by railway staff in the Indian railway system over the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has modernized the locomotive signal system and coupling mechanism, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Indian  Railways  is  fully  equipped  with  modern safety  systems,  including  Anti-collision  devices,  in  each  and every engine, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any robust mechanism has been adopted by the Indian Railways to check human error; and
- (e) if so, the details in this regard?

## 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 1128 BY  SHRIMATI  SAJDA  AHMED  AND SABHA  ON

PROF.  SOUGATA  RAY  TO BE ANSWERED  IN LOK 26.07.2023 REGARDING VIOLATION OF SAFETY RULES

- (a) : In order to regulate train operations in a safe manner, the Indian Railways (Open Line) General Rules, 1976, have been notified,  which  are  further  supplemented  in  the  form  of Subsidiary  Rules  by  Zonal  Railways.  Maintenance  manuals have been issued for maintenance of assets (P. Way, Signal, Rolling Stock, OHE,  Bridge  etc.). Staff and  officials are imparted  regular  training  in  various  training  centers  across Zonal  Railways  to  improve  their  knowledge  of  rules  and maintenance instructions. They are regularly counselled and their work is intensively monitored. Regular Safety drives are undertaken  to  ensure  that  extant  rules  and  procedures  are adhered to. However, despite all such efforts, a few cases of Safety  rule  violations  have  occurred  in  the  last  three  years, such  as  issues  related  to  track  maintenance,  work  site protection, Signal passing at danger, etc.
- (b)&(c): As  an  aid  to  loco  pilots,  a  GPS  based  Fog  Safety Device (FSD) is provided in fog affected areas, which enables them  to  know  the  distance  of  approaching  landmarks  like signals, level crossing gates etc. Retro-reflective sigma boards  are  also  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. In addition, all locomotives are

equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices  (VCD)  to  improve alertness of Loco Pilots.

Kavach equipment is also being provided in Locomotives as a part of Kavach project. Till now  121 Locomotives are equipped with these equipments. Kavach aids the loco pilot in train  running  within  specified  speed  limits  by  automatic application  of  brakes  in  the  case  Loco  Pilot  fails  to  do  so. Kavach has so far been deployed on 1465 Route km on South Central Railway.

- (d)&(e): Yes, Sir. The following mechanisms have been adopted by Indian Railways to check human error:
- In  order  to  regulate  train  operations  in  a  safe  manner,  the Indian Railways (Open Line) General Rules, 1976, have been notified.  These  are  further  supplemented  in  the  form  of
1. Subsidiary Rules by Zonal Railways.
2. For maintenance of assets (P.Way, Signal, Rolling Stock, OHE, Bridge etc.), maintenance manuals have been issued.
3. Staff  and  officials  are  imparted  regular  training  in  various training  centers  across  Zonal  Railways  to  improve  their knowledge and get acquainted with new technology/maintenance tools, etc.
4. There  is  a  well-established  system  of  inspection  of  railway bridges  on  Indian  Railways.  All  the  bridges  are  inspected twice a year, once before the onset of monsoon and detailed inspection after the monsoon by the designated officials.
5. Concept of Rolling Block has been introduced, wherein work of  maintenance/repair/replacement is planned for 2 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.
6. All  locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to monitor and ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.
7. Simulator  based  training  for  improving  the  driving  skills  and the reaction time of Loco Pilots is emphasized.
8. Retro-reflective sigma (Σ) boards have been  provided on the OHE mast located two OHE masts prior to   the   Signal   location  in  electrified  territories   to   alert  / warn  the  crew of  the  Stop  signal  ahead.
- A  GPS  based  Fog  Pass  device  is  provided  to  loco  pilots during   fog   (poor  visibility)   which   facilitates  loco   pilots  to know the distance of the approaching landmarks like signals,
9. level  crossing  gates etc.
- Provision  of  Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  System  with centralized  operation  of  points  and  signals  in  place  of  old
10. mechanical signaling.
11. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  for verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at stations.
12. Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates (LC) for enhancing safety at LC Gate.
13. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
14. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
15. Safety  drives  are  carried  out  at  regular  intervals  to  check adherence to extant rules and procedures, and counsel staff accordingly.

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