Lok Sabha Question No. 1596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Number of people died and injured in Train accidents in the Country
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Virendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## NUMBER OF PEOPLE DIED AND INJURED IN TRAIN ACCIDENTS IN THE COUNTRY

†1596. SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  stop  the recurring train accidents in the country;
- (b) the number of railway accidents happened during the entire year  till  now  the  number  of  people  died  and  got  injured  in these accidents and the details of the compensation given to their families by the Government;
- (c) whether  any  action  has  been  taken  against  the  officers responsible for this; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  developed  any  technology  for smooth running of the  trains  that  gets  disrupted  due  to  fog during winter, if so, the details thereof?

## 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.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1596 BY SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING NUMBER OF PEOPLE DIED AND INJURED IN TRAIN ACCIDENTS IN THE COUNTRY.

(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), 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 Train Accidents |   No. of Deaths |   No. of Injuries |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14 |                                   1711 |             904 |              3155 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 |                                    678 |             748 |              2087 |

During the Year 2024-25 (April to November), total 29 consequential train accidents have taken place over Indian Railways. In  these  accidents,  17  persons  lost  their  lives  and  81  sustained injurers.

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 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
28. 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            | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (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                                                               |                      |                                                 |                |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 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                                          |                |

Accident  victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon  after an accident  or  untoward  incident..  Total  amount  of  ex-gratia  paid  by the  Railways  to  the  next  of  kin  of  deceased  and  injured  in  train accidents in the current year 2024-25 (Apr-Nov) is Rs 2.89 Cr.

Compensation  for  death/injury  of  railway  passengers  in  train accidents and untoward incidents as defined under Section 124 and Section  124-A  (read  with  Section  123)  of  the  Railways  Act,  1989, is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed by the victims/their dependents before RCT and it disposes  of  the  cases  after  following  the  due  judicial  process. Railway  Administration  pays  compensation  only  when  a  decree  is awarded  by  Hon'ble  RCT  in  favour  of  the  claimant  and  Railways decide to implement the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount. Total amount of compensation paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased and injured in train  in the current year 2024-25 (Apr-Nov) is Rs 8.19 Cr.

It may be noted thatthe compensation paid in a year need not necessarily  relate  to  the  accidents/  casualties  in  that  year  alone. The  amount  paid  in  a  year  depends  upon  the  number  of  cases finalized by Railway Claims Tribunals (RCTs) or other Courts of Law in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident they pertain to, have occurred.

Inquiries into the rail accidents are carried out by the statutory body, the Commission of Railway Safety under Ministry of Civil  Aviation  and  Departmental  Inquiry  Committees  as  per  laid down norms.

The  agencies,  after  due  deliberations,  submit  their  findings and  establish  the  responsibility  of  officers/staff  leading  to  the  rail accidents.

The officers/staff held responsible are taken up under 'Railway Service  (Disciplinary  &  Appeal)  Rules'  by  the  respective  Zonal Railway.

A  Global  Positioning  System  (GPS)  based  portable  'Fog  Pass Device'  (FPD)  is  provided  to  Loco  Pilots,  which  displays  the  name and  distance  of  critical  landmarks  viz,  approaching  Signals,  level crossing gates, permanent speed restrictions etc. in advance during poor visibility  condition  like  fog.  This  device  is  used for  safe  train operation especially during winter season and to help reduce stress on Loco Pilots while running in poor visibility conditions. As  on  31.10.2024,  26,977  nos.  of  FPDs  are  available  over Indian Railways.

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