Lok Sabha Question No. 82 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Incidents of Railway Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arvind Ganpat Sawant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 82 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## INCIDENTS OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

- *82.  SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of incidences of railway accidents that have occurred during the last nine years in the country;
- (b) the total number of people who have lost their lives and got injured in such accidents;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any action to improve the base of  Railway  services  such  as  tracks,  signalling  systems,  engines  etc. and if so, the details of budget provision made for the purpose;
- (d) the  total  number  of  new  services  like  Vande  Bharat  that  have  been launched during the last five years along with the details of expenditure incurred therein;
- (e) whether the Government has implemented the old demand that there should be automatic doors to prevent accidents of passengers falling from local trains;
- (f) if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether it is true that there has been demand for increasing the height of  platforms  at  railway  stations  for  many  years  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO 82 BY SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.07.2023 REGARDING INCIDENTS OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

(a) to (c): The total number of consequential train accidents that have occurred in the country during the last nine years, are as follows:

| Year    | Number of consequential train accidents   |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2014-15 | 135                                       |
| 2015-16 | 107                                       |
| 2016-17 | 104                                       |
| 2017-18 | 73                                        |
| 2018-19 | 59                                        |
| 2019-20 | 55                                        |
| 2020-21 | 22 (Covid Year)                           |
| 2021-22 | 35 (Covid Year)                           |
| 2022-23 | 48                                        |

The trend of consequential train accidents from 2000-01 to 2022-23 is given below :-

<!-- image -->

It may be noted from the graph above, there is a steep decline in the number of consequential train accidents from 473 in 2000-01 to 48 in 2022-23.

The  average  number  of  consequential  train  accidents  during  the period, 2004-14 was 171     per annum, while the average number of consequential train  accidents  during  the  period,  2014-23  declined  to 71 per annum.

The  details  of  number  of  persons  who  lost  their  lives  and sustained  injuries  in  consequential  train  accidents,  during  the  last nine years i.e. from 2014-15 to 2022-23 are given below:

| Year    | Number of persons who lost their lives   |   Number of persons injured |
|---------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2014-15 | 292                                      |                         457 |
| 2015-16 | 122                                      |                         187 |
| 2016-17 | 238                                      |                         369 |
| 2017-18 | 58                                       |                         199 |
| 2018-19 | 37                                       |                         112 |
| 2019-20 | 5                                        |                          82 |
| 2020-21 | 4 (Covid Year)                           |                          11 |
| 2021-22 | 17 (Covid Year)                          |                          47 |
| 2022-23 | 8                                        |                          81 |

The  Government  has  taken  the  following  measures  to  improve tracks, signaling systems, engines etc.:

1. Rashtriya  Rail  Sanraksha  Kosh  (RRSK)  has  been  introduced  in 2017-18  for  replacement/renewal/upgradation  of  critical  safety assets, with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore for five years. From 201718  till  2021-22  a  Gross  expenditure  of  Rs.  1.08  lakh  crore  was incurred on RRSK works.
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6427 stations  upto  31.05.2023  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 11093 level Crossing Gates up to 31.05.2023 for enhancing safety at LC gates.
4. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  for verification  of  track  occupancy  by  electrical  means  has  been provided at 6377 stations upto 31.05.2023.
5. 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.
6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.
8. Retro-reflective sigma boards are 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.
9. 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.
10. Modern  track  structure  consisting  of  60kg,  90  Ultimate  Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide  base  sleepers  with  elastic  fastening,  fanshaped
11. layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track renewals.
11. Mechanisation  of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
12. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby ensuring safety.
13. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding  and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
14. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
15. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
16. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout renewal works.
17. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
18. 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.
19. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety  of Track e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
20. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations and to keep a check on Rail Accidents across the country.
21. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done.
22. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
23. 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.
24. Indian Railways has displayed Statutory 'Fire Notices' for widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are provided  in  every  coach  so  as  to  inform  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.
25. Production  Units  are  providing  Fire  detection  and  suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars and 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.
26. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.

The overall Safety performance and investment is as below :

| SN   | Item                         | Unit       | During FY 2004-05 to 2013-14   | During FY 2004-05 to 2013-14   | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   | Comparison of the period 2014-23 with the period 2004-   |
|------|------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|      |                              |            | Cumulative for 10 years        | Average Per Year               | Cumulative for 9 years         | Average Per Year               | 14                                                       |
| A.   | Track Maintenance            |            |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                          |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Track Renewal | Rs. In Cr. | 47,018                         | 4,702                          | 91,809                         | 10,201                         | 2.2 Times                                                |
| 2.   | Rail Renewal Primary         | TKM        | 32,260                         | 3,226                          | 37,284                         | 4,143                          | 1.3 Times                                                |
| 3.   | Use of high                  | KM         | 57,450                         | 5,745                          | 1,23,717                       | 13,746                         | 2.4 Times                                                |

|    | quality rails (60 Kg)                              |            |                        |                        |                                          |                                          |                |
|----|----------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 4. | Longer Rail Panels (260m)                          | KM         | 9,917                  | 992                    | 68,233                                   | 7,581                                    | 7.7 Times      |
| 5. | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails | TKM        | 20,19,630              | 2,01,963               | 26,52,291                                | 2,94,699                                 | 1.5 Times      |
| 6. | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds | Nos.       | 79,43,940              | 7,94,394               | 1,73,06,046                              | 19,22,894                                | 2.4 Times      |
| 7. | Track KM added                                     | TKM        | 14,985                 | 1,499                  | 25,871                                   | 2,875                                    | 1.9 Times      |
| 8. | Weld failures                                      | Nos.       | In 2013-14 : 3699      | In 2013-14 : 3699      | In 2022-23: 724                          | In 2022-23: 724                          | 80% Reduction  |
| 9. | Rail fractures                                     | Nos.       | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2022-23: 531                          | In 2022-23: 531                          | 79% Reduction  |
| 10 | Thick Web                                          | Nos.       | Nil                    | Nil                    | 15,146                                   | 1,683                                    |                |
| 11 | Track Machines                                     | Nos.       | As on 31.03.14 = 748   | As on 31.03.14 = 748   | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                    | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                    | 2.1 Times      |
| B. | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                    |            |                        |                        |                                          |                                          |                |
| 1. | Elimination of Unmanned                            | Nos.       | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by | 100% Reduction |
| 2. | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates         | Nos.       | 1,137                  | 114                    | 6,291                                    | 699                                      | 6.2 Times      |
| 3. | Construction of Road over                          | Nos.       | 4,148                  | 415                    | 10,867                                   | 1,207                                    | 2.9 Times      |
| 4. | Expenditure on LC Elimination                      | Rs. In Cr. | 5,726                  | 573                    | 30,602                                   | 3,400                                    | 5.9 Times      |
| C. | Bridge Rehabilitation                              |            |                        |                        |                                          |                                          |                |
| 1. | Expenditure on Bridge                              | Rs. In Cr. | 3,919                  | 392                    | 6,380                                    | 709                                      | 1.8 Times      |

|       | Rehabilitation                                                              |                 |                     |                     |                               |                         |            |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|------------|
| D. 1. | Signalling Works Electronic                                                 | Stations        | 837                 | 84                  | 2,521                         | 280                     | 3.3 Times  |
| 2.    | Automatic Block Signaling                                                   | Km              | 1,486               | 148.6               | 1,915                         | 212.8                   | 1.4 Times  |
| 3.    | Fog Pass Safety Devices                                                     | Nos.            | As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742       | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742 | 219 Times  |
| E     | Rolling Stock                                                               |                 |                     |                     |                               |                         |            |
| 1.    | Manufacture of LHB Coaches                                                  | No.             | 2,337               | 234                 | 31,956                        | 3,551                   | 15.2 Times |
| 2.    | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in coaches                     | Nos. of Coaches | 0                   | 0                   | 12,711                        | 1,412                   |            |
| 3.    | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars | Nos. of Coaches | 0                   | 0                   | 2,635                         | 293                     |            |
| 4.    | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches                          | Nos. of Coaches | 0                   | 0                   | 39,819                        | 4,424                   |            |
| F.    | Gross Budgetary Support for Railway Investment (GBS FY 23- 24 : Rs 2.4      | Rs. In Cr.      | 1,56,739            | 15,674              | 8,25,967 ( Incl. of BE 23-24) | 82,597                  | 5.3 Times  |
| G.    | Expenditure on safety related works                                         | Rs. In Cr.      | 70,273              | 7,027               | 1,78,012 ( Incl. of BE 23-24) | 17,801                  | 2.5 Times  |

(d):  During  the  period  2018-2023  (till  20.07.2023),  616  new  train services  (in  single)  have  been  introduced,  which  includes  50  Vande Bharat Express services. Once new train services are introduced, the expenditure incurred on running them becomes part of overall revenue expenditure of the Indian Railways. (e) & (f): Automatic Doors are provided in 6 air-conditioned EMU rakes, operated by Central Railway, and 8 air-conditioned EMU  rakes operated by Western Railway, on Mumbai Suburban network. (g): Proposals/representations/requests both formal and informal regarding  increasing  the  height  of  platforms  at  railway  stations  are received  from  State  Governments,  Ministries  of  Central  Government, Elected Representatives, Consultative Committees etc. by Railways at various levels including Railway Board, Zonal Railways, Division Office etc. As receipt of such proposals/suggestions/requests is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. The representations/demands received from public representatives are examined with priority and action for implementation is taken based on techno-economic feasibility, justification, relative priority of similar works, availability of resources, etc.

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