Lok Sabha Question No. 2111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: RRSK
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam, Kunwar Danish Ali, Manjulata Mandal, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Dhanush M Kumar, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, C.N. Annadurai, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## RRSK

## 2111.  SHRI SELVAM G.:

KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) special fund created by the Government for passenger safety is being reduced every  year  and  if  so,  the  quantum  of  amount  sanctioned  and spent since inception of the RRSK;
- whether as per CAG reports, Indian Railways spent extravagantly on foot massagers, crockery, furniture, car rentals, laptops from the  amount  sanctioned  for  RRSK  and  spending  on  non  priority works under the RRSK grew from 2.76 percent in 2017-2018 to
- (b) 6.36 percent in 2019-2020, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  as  per  auditor's  report,  the  Railways  failed  to  utilize funds  sanctioned  under  the  Kosh  and  even  surrendered  the amount  sanctioned,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  this  has  defeated  the  primary  objective  of  creation  of RRSK to support absolute safety in Railways, if so, the details in this regard;
- (e) whether the Government will take action on officials responsible for this irregularity and if so, details thereof;
- (f) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  safety  of  train passengers; and
- (g) the details of development works undertaken   in Railways so far through the said special fund?

## 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.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2111  BY  SHRI  SELVAM  G.,  KUNWAR DANISH ALI  ,  SHRIMATI  MANJULATA  MANDAL,  DR.  AMOL  RAMSING KOLHE, DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S., SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR, SHRI KULDEEP  RAI SHARMA,  SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI,  DR.  SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE AND SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING RRSK.

(a) to (g):  The details are as under:

1. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) was created in 2017-18 for execution  of  assessed  safety  works  with  a  corpus  of  Rs.  1  Lakh Crore over a period of 5 years. The projects taken up under this fund relate  to  track  renewal,  bridges,  signalling,  rolling  stock,  training and amenities for safety critical staff. RRSK works are to be funded from Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Railways revenues/resources;  including  mobilization  of  resources  through Extra  Budgetary  Resources  (EBR),  as  per  Ministry  of  Finance guidelines on RRSK. From 2017-18 till 2021-22 an expenditure of Rs. 1.08 Lakh crore was incurred on RRSK works. Details of expenditure incurred is tabulated as below:

| Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   | Gross Expenditure on RRSK Works (Rs in cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
|                                               | Actual                                        | Actual                                        | Actual                                        | Actual                                        | Actual                                        | Total                                         |
|                                               | 2017-18                                       | 2018-19                                       | 2019-20                                       | 2020-21                                       | 2021-22                                       | 2017-18 to 2021-22                            |
| Traffic Facilities                            | 654.02                                        | 498.23                                        | 370.78                                        | 523.49                                        | 476.93                                        | 2523.45                                       |
| Railway Research                              |                                               |                                               |                                               |                                               |                                               |                                               |
| Rolling Stock                                 | 1099.10                                       | 1637.28                                       | 1116.15                                       | 2969.73                                       | 2798.26                                       | 9620.52                                       |
| Level Crossings                               | 535.99                                        | 678.60                                        | 570.25                                        | 544.92                                        |                                               | 2329.76                                       |
| Road Over/Under Bridges                       | 3175.23                                       | 3488.82                                       | 2334.15                                       | 4086.45                                       | 1736.18                                       | 14820.83                                      |
| Track Renewals                                | 8903.99                                       | 9697.31                                       | 8314.30                                       | 13509.49                                      | 16262.45                                      | 56687.54                                      |

| Bridge Works                | 451.34   |   516.72 | 752.59   | 730.38   | 1286.13   |   3737.16 |
|-----------------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|-----------|-----------|
| Signal & Telecom Works      | 1201.01  |  1461.29 | 1536.60  | 1829.99  | 2058.25   |   8087.14 |
| Other Electrical Works      | 18.76    |    47.02 | 301.10   | 460.18   | 488.53    |   1315.59 |
| Traction Distribution Works | 331.48   |   302.77 |          |          |           |    634.25 |
| Machinery & Plant           | 127.10   |   179.82 | 162.94   | 226.33   | 349.48    |   1045.67 |
| Workshops PUs               | 240.96   |   202.67 | 256.08   | 608.95   | 354.82    |   1663.48 |
| Customer Amenities          | 462.55   |   795.09 | 870.12   | 1915.99  | 1176.02   |   5219.77 |
| Other Specified Works       |          |    42    | 141.17   | 235.72   | 329.44    |    748.33 |
| Training/HRD                | 58.00    |    48.01 | 73.38    | 71.69    | 58.00     |    309.08 |
| Total                       | 17259.53 | 19595.6  | 16799.61 | 27713.31 | 27374.49  | 108743    |

Safety critical staff like drivers keep continuous watch on track and signals.  This  involves  standing.  Therefore,  the  quality  of  rest  after duty hours is very important. To have loco pilots/assistant loco pilots well rested before the next duty, amenities like foot massager, yoga mats, fitness  facilities,  and  kitchen  utensils  were  recommended  for running  rooms,  in  the  technical  report  submitted  by  Centre  for Advance Maintenance Technology (CAMTECH) in 2013. Laptops and computers were also provided for safety related Track  Management System application besides training of safety manpower. Hence, the expenditure  were  based  on  set  guidelines  for  procurement  of  up gradation of running room and training staff etc. directly related with safety of train running. C&AG in its performance audit report No 22 of 2022 on 'Derailment in Indian Railways' has observed that some of the expenditure booked to RRSK was in non-priority items. Railways have replied to the audit observation in the Action Taken Note, stating that these expenditure are  covered  by  policy  letters  and  technical  report  of  CAMTECH  on Running Room Facilities. Accordingly, required expenditure on equipment and gear for safety critical staff has been booked to RRSK on some Railways.

2. '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 Railways  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.

The following corrective measures are being taken by the Railways to prevent human deaths in untoward incidents:-

- i. Railways have constituted interdepartmental 'Joint Committee' comprising officers of  Safety,  Security,  Signal  & Engineering  departments across all Zonal Railways to study the causes and suggest specific measures to minimize deaths due to untoward incidents including trespassing by humans. Accordingly, preventive and corrective measures are taken to improve and create infrastructure to minimize casualties.
- ii. Regular announcements are made through Passenger Address System  at  Railway  stations  urging  passengers  to  use  foot over bridges (FOBs) and to avoid crossing of railway tracks.
- iii. Various  awareness campaigns are organized by Railways to sensitize passengers about the fatalities of crossing railway tracks, foot-board/roof-top travelling, boarding/de-boarding running trains etc.
- iv. Regular drives  are  conducted  against  trespassing,  travelling on foot-board, steps, roof top of trains, boarding/de-boarding running  trains  and  the  persons  apprehended  are  prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Railways Act, 1989.
- v. Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed on locations vulnerable for trespassing.
- vi. Erection  of  boundary  wall/fencing  at  identified locations, vulnerable to trespass.
- vii. Warning sign boards are provided at conspicuous places for the awareness of passengers.
- viii. Unauthorized trespassing on Railway premises including the Railway  track  is  a  punishable  offence  under  section  147  of the Railways Act, 1989 and action is taken against trespassers as per law.
3. Safety performance is regularly analyzed and Indian Railways has taken the following measures over the years to improve safety of train operations:
- i. Rashtriya  Rail  Sanraksha  Kosh  (RRSK)  has  been  introduced  in 2017-18  for  replacement/renewal/upgradation  of  critical  safety assets, with a corpus of 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.
- ii. 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.
- iii. 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.
- iv. 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.
- v. 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.
- vi. System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
- vii. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.
17. 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
- viii. visibility is low due to foggy weather.
- ix. 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.
- x. 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.
- xi. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
- xii. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby ensuring safety.
- xiii. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
- xiv. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
25. xv.
26. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
- xvi. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
- xvii. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
- xviii. 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.
- xix. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track e.g. integrated block, corridor  block,  worksite  safety,  monsoon
31. precautions etc. have been issued.
- xx. 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.
- xxi. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB design coaches is being done.
34. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG)
- xxii. route have been eliminated by January 2019.
- xxiii. 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.
- xxiv. 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.
- xxv. 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.
- xxvi. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
- xxvii. Concept of Rolling Block introduced wherein work of maintenance/repair/replacement is planned for 2 weeks  in

## advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.

## In recent times, there has been an increasing focus on works related to safety, as summarised below:

| S N   | 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   | During FY 2014-15 to 2022-23   | Compariso n of the period 2014-23 with the period 2004-14   |
|-------|----------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| S N   | Item                                               | Unit       | Cumulativ e for 10 years       | Average Per Year               | Cumulative for 9 years         | Cumulative for 9 years         | Average Per Year               | Compariso n of the period 2014-23 with the period 2004-14   |
| A.    | Track Maintenance                                  |            |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                             |
| 1.    | Expenditure on Track Renewal                       | Rs. In Cr. | 47,018                         | 4,702                          | 91,809                         | 91,809                         | 10,201                         | 2.2 Times                                                   |
| 2.    | Rail Renewal Primary                               | TKM        | 32,260                         | 3,226                          | 37,284                         | 37,284                         | 4,143                          | 1.3 Times                                                   |
| 3.    | Use of high quality rails (60 Kg)                  | KM         | 57,450                         | 5,745                          | 1,23,717                       | 1,23,717                       | 13,746                         | 2.4 Times                                                   |
| 4.    | Longer Rail Panels (260m)                          | KM         | 9,917                          | 992                            | 68,233                         | 68,233                         | 7,581                          | 7.7 Times                                                   |
| 5.    | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails | TKM        | 20,19,630                      | 2,01,96 3                      | 26,52,291                      | 26,52,291                      | 2,94,69 9                      | 1.5 Times                                                   |
| 6.    | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds | Nos.       | 79,43,940                      | 7,94,39 4                      | 1,73,06,04 6                   | 1,73,06,04 6                   | 19,22,8 94                     | 2.4 Times                                                   |
| 7.    | Track KM added                                     | TKM        | 14,985                         | 1,499                          | 25,871                         | 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                | 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                | In 2022-23: 531                | 79% Reduction                                               |
| 10    | Thick Web Switches                                 | Nos.       | Nil Nil                        | Nil Nil                        | 15,146                         | 1,683                          | 1,683                          |                                                             |
| 11    | Track Machines                                     | Nos.       | As on 748                      | 31.03.14 =                     | As on 1548                     | 31.03.23 =                     | 31.03.23 =                     | 2.1 Times                                                   |
| B.    | Level                                              |            |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                             |

|    | Crossing Gate Elimination                                                                   |            |            |             |    |                                                    |          |    |                |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------|-------------|----|----------------------------------------------------|----------|----|----------------|
| 1. | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing Gates                                                | Nos.       | As on 8948 | 31.03.2014: |    | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) |          |    | 100% Reduction |
| 2. | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates                                                  | Nos.       | 1,137      | 114         |    | 6,291                                              | 699      |    | 6.2 Times      |
| 3. | Construction of Road over Bridges (i.e. Flyovers)/ Road under Bridges ( i.e. Under- passes) | 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 Rehabilitati on                                                                      |            |            |             |    |                                                    |          |    |                |
| 1. | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitati on                                                       | Rs. In Cr. | 3,919      | 392         |    | 6,380                                              | 709      |    | 1.8 Times      |
| D. | Signalling Works                                                                            |            |            |             |    |                                                    |          |    |                |
| 1. | Electronic Interlocking                                                                     | 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 90   | 31.03.14    | :  | As on 19,742                                       | 31.03.23 | :  | 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 Coache s   | 0         | 0      | 12,711                        | 1,412   |           |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|-----------|--------|-------------------------------|---------|-----------|
| 3.   | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars       | Nos. of Coache s   | 0         | 0      | 2,635                         | 293     |           |
| 4.   | Provision of Fire Extinguisher s in Non -AC coaches                               | Nos. of Coache s   | 0         | 0      | 39,819                        | 4,424   |           |
| F.   | Gross Budgetary Support for Railway Investment (GBS FY 23- 24 : Rs 2.4 Lakhs Cr.) | Rs. In Cr.         | 1,56,73 9 | 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 |

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