Lok Sabha Question No. 1398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Commission/Expert Committee for inquiring Rail Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1398 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## COMMISSION/EXPERT COMMITTEE FOR INQUIRING RAIL ACCIDENTS †1398.  SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  independent  commission  or  expert  committee  to enquire  into  the  matters  of  increasing  rail  accidents  has  been constituted by the Government;
- (b) if  so,  the  report  thereof  and  the  corrective  steps  taken  in  this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  special  safety measures to check increasing crimes like theft, fraud and violence in  train  and  whether  special  technical  equipment  or  monitoring systems are used for it, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  special  scheme  to resolve technical issues and improve maintenance so as to ensure regular monitoring and advanced  maintenance  of tracks and coupling, 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. 1398 BY SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING COMMISSION/EXPERT COMMITTEE FOR INQUIRING RAIL 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),  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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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 (705 RKm 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
9. 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)

| 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                                                |

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).
6. 17.
7. 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 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.

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            |

| SN   | Item                                                       | 2004-05 to 2013-14              | 2014-15 to 2023-24                               | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14             |
|------|------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 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                       |

| SN   | Item                                                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24   | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
|      | 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               |                       |

Departmental Inquiry Committees and the statutory body, the Commission of Railway Safety under Ministry of Civil Aviation are the main agencies for investigation of different accidents.

The agencies, after due deliberations, submit their findings and recommendations  in  various  accidents.  As  per  the  recommendations suggested by the agencies in their report, appropriate action is  taken  by the Railway Administration.

'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.

RPF is always ready to prevent crime in Railways and the following steps are taken to prevent crimes like theft, fraud and violence in trains:-

1. Surveillance is kept through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras provided in no. of coaches and at railway stations.
2. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 [integrated with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) No.112].
3. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various social  media  platforms  like  twitter  &  facebook  etc.  to  enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
4. 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.
5. Frequent  drives  are  conducted  against  undesirable  elements  in trains and railway premises to prevent such crimes.
6. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
7. Cyber  Cells  of  RPF  is  constituted  at  Zonal  level  and  have  been instructed for cyber patrolling of the web/social media to assist in prevention of crime.
8. Frequent patrolling of identified black spots, vulnerable section is being done by railwaymen, RPF, GRP and Civil Police.

Resolution  of  technical  issues,  introduction  of  new  technologies  and improvement of maintenance practices are regular on-going exercises over Indian Railways.

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