Lok Sabha Question No. 2688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Railway safety and effectiveness of Kavach
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2688 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## RAILWAY SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF KAVACH

## 2688.MS SAYANI GHOSH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  train-related  deaths  reported  between  2014  and 2024  and  number  of  average  rail  accidents  in  the  country  per year since 2014;
- (b) whether it is a fact that even after 4 years since Indian Railways began deploying Kavach only 2% of the 68,000 km. network has been covered so far;
- (c) the  details  of  allocated  funds  utilised  for  track  renewal  since maximum  cases  of  railway  accidents  during  2017-21  occurred due to derailment, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh was heavily slashed last year, 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.  2688  BY  MS  SAYANI  GHOSH  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.08.2024  REGARDING  RAILWAY SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF KAVACH

(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 473 in 2000-01 to 40 in 2023-24 as shown in the graph below.

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).

Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has reduced from 0.65 in 2000-01 to 0.03 in 2023-24, indicating an improvement of more than 95% during the said period.

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## Consequential  Train  Accidents  on  Indian  Railways  and  casualties therein:

| Period             |   No. of Consequential Train Accidents |   No. of Deaths |   No. of Injuries |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to         |                                   1711 |             904 |              3155 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 |                                    678 |             748 |              2087 |

Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  on  Indian  Railways  (IR).  The various safety measures including track maintenance and modernization of signalling systems taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:-

## 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related works has increased over the years as under:

| Expenditure on Safety (Rs. in Cr)             | Expenditure on Safety (Rs. in Cr)   | Expenditure on Safety (Rs. in Cr)   | Expenditure on Safety (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 | 7,128   | 9,534    | 9,634    |
| Total                                               | 87,336  | 1,01,662 | 1,08,795 |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,589 stations  up  to  30.06.2024  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 11,048  level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  30.06.2024  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 6,609 stations up to 30.06.2024.
5. Axle  counters  for  Automatic  clearance  of  Block  Section,  BPAC (Block  Proving  Axle  Counter)  are  provided  to  ensure  complete arrival  of  train  without  manual  intervention  before  granting  line clear to receive next train and to reduce human element.  These systems  have  been  provided  on  6079  Block  Sections  upto 30.06.2024.
6. A project for provision of Long Term Evolution (LTE) based Mobile Train Radio Communication system has been approved for 34,803 Rkms over Indian Railways.
7. The  project  for  provision  of  Tunnel  Communication  has  been taken up in various zonal Railways.
8. Emergency  talk-back  system  and  Emergency  Alarm  Systems have been provided in Vande Bharat Train sets.
9. CCTVs have been provided in all Vande Bharat Express coaches. Till date more than 9572 coaches are equipped with CCTV.
10. 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.
11. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
12. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
17. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
18. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
19. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
20. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
21. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
22. The use of Thick  Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
23. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
24. 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.
25. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety,  monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
26. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
27. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB design coaches is being done.
28. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
29. 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.
30. 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.

31. 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.
32. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
33. 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  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                         | Track Maintenance    | Track Maintenance    | Track Maintenance    |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Track Renewal (Rs. in Cr.) | 47,018               | 1,09,659             | 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)         | 20,19,630            | 26,52,291            | 1.31 times           |

|    | Testing of Rails (Track km)                               |                                                           |                                 |                                                  |                                 |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 6. | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 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)                             | New Track KM added (Track km)                             | 14,985                          | 31,180                                           | 2.08 times                      |
| 8. | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699                | In 2023-24: 481                                  | 87% reduction                   |
| 9. | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548                | In 2023-24: 383                                  | 85% reduction                   |
| 10 | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                             | 21,127                                           |                                 |
| 11 | Track Machines (Nos.)                                     | 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                  | Level Crossing Gate Elimination |
| 1. | Elimination of Unmanned Crossing Gates (Nos.)             | Level                                                     | As on 31.03.14: 8948            | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% reduction                  |
| 2. | Elimination of Manned Crossing Gates (Nos.)               | Level                                                     | 1,137                           | 7,075                                            | 6.21 Times                      |
| 3. | Road over Bridges (RoBs)/ under Bridges (RUBs) (Nos.)     | Road                                                      | 4,148                           | 11,945                                           | 2.88 Times                      |
| 4. | Expenditure on LC Elimination                             | Expenditure on LC Elimination                             | 5,726                           | 36,699                                           | 6.40 Times                      |
|    | Bridge Rehabilitation                                     | Bridge Rehabilitation                                     | Bridge Rehabilitation           | Bridge Rehabilitation                            | Bridge Rehabilitation           |
| 1. | Expenditure on                                            | Bridge                                                    | 3,919                           | 8,008                                            | 2 Times                         |

|    | Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)                                                                   |                    |                        |                   |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|------------------------|-------------------|
|    | 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         |
|    | Rolling Stock                                                                                 | Rolling Stock      | Rolling Stock          | 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                 |                   |
|    | Budget allocation                                                                             | Budget allocation  | Budget allocation      | Budget allocation |
| 1  | Gross Budgetary Support for Railway Investment (Rs. in Cr.)                                   | 1,56,739           | 8,25,967               | 5.3 times         |

Further  following  safety  measures  have  also  been  taken  over  Indian Railway:

1. Indian  Railway  is  installing  KAVACH  which  is  an  indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a
2. highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order.
2. Kavach aids the loco pilot in train running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the train to run safely during inclement weather.
3. Implementation of Kavach involves execution of many activities, such as:
5. a.
6. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station.
7. b.
8. c.
9. d.
10. Installation of RFID tags throughout the track length.
11. Installation of Telecom Towers throughout the section.
12. Laying of optical Fibre cable along the track.
- e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
4. Kavach  has  so  far  been  deployed  on  1465  Route  km  and  144 locomotives on South Central Railway.
5. Presently, the progress of main items related to Kavach on DelhiMumbai & Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route km) is as under:
16. (i)
17. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 4275 Km
18. (ii) Installation of Telecom Towers: 364 Nos.
19. (iii)
20. Provision of equipment at Stations: 285 Nos.
21. (iv) Provision of equipment in Loco: 319 Locos
22. (v) Installation of Track side equipments: 1384 RKm.
6. Indian Railways has also prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Detailed Estimate on another 6000 RKm.
7. On  16.07.2024,  Kavach  4.0  specification  has  been  approved  by RDSO. This version covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety for  Indian  Railways.  Within  a  short  period,  IR  has  developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System.
8. Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner.

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