Lok Sabha Question No. 3114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Stone Pelting on Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3114

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## STONE PELTING ON TRAINS

## 3114.   SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  stone  pelting  events  on various trains, including Vande Bharat, if so, the details of incidents,
- (a) train-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has sought a fact finding report in order to track down the primary reason for doing so; if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  the  action  taken  along  with  details  of  the  preventive measures taken; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  cost  incurred  by  the  Railways  in  repair  of  such coaches which have been damage by stone pelting?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and therefore, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and maintenance of law and order on Railways through their law enforcement  agencies viz.  Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police.

Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security to railway property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

During  the  year  2023,  2024  and  2025  (up  to  February),  7,971  incidents  of stone  pelting  on  trains  including  Vande  Bharat  trains  have  been  reported. Each case is registered under legal provisions followed by proper enquiry of offenders and their prosecution. In response to such incidents, 4,549 persons involved in stone pelting have been arrested.

In order to control these incidents, the following steps are taken by RPF in coordination with GRP/District police & Civil administration:-

1. Various  awareness  programme  are  conducted  regularly  in  inhabited areas adjacent to Railway track to sensitize people towards the menace of stone pelting and its consequences.
2. The train escorting parties have been sensitized to remain more vigilant in the vulnerable sections/spots, where incidents of vandalizing on trains are frequently reported.
3. Detailed  guidelines  have  been  issued  regarding  action  to  be  taken  to control  incidents  of  stone  pelting  on  moving  trains.  Analysis  of  these incidents followed by substantive action is taken to curb these incidents.
4. Regular drives are conducted against anti-social elements like drunkard, mischievous elements etc. at the identified vulnerable spots which are dynamic  in  nature.  The  persons  found  involved  in  these  cases  are apprehended and prosecuted under legal provisions of law.

5. Regular  co-ordination  with  GRP/Local  Police  is  maintained  and  the critical information are shared with to control the menace of pelting of stones on trains.
6. State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been constituted  for  all  State/Union  Territories  under  the  Chairmanship  of respective  Director  General  of  Police/Commissioner  of  States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

(d): The total cost incurred by all Zonal Railways during year 2023, 2024 and 2025 (up to Feb) for repairing of coaches (including Vande Bharat Coaches) damaged by stone pelting is ₹ 5.79 crores.

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