Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Poor Lighting and Sanitation Facility in Locomotives
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## POOR LIGHTING AND SANITATION FACILITY IN LOCOMOTIVES

## *60. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  about  the  problems  faced  by the commuters of sub-urban trains in Southern Railways particularly women and children in North Chennai Railways due to lack of sanitation facilities and poor lighting in locomotives;
- (b) if so, the steps taken to improve the situation and the number of railway stations equipped with sanitation facilities and upgraded lighting facilities so far;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that suburban railway stations in  the  disadvantaged  pockets  of  the  metro  cities  due  to  poor infrastructure has evidences of crime and threat to children and women commuters; and
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken  to  minimize  the  crime  in  and  around  the suburban railway stations along with the details of effectiveness
- of these measures?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 BY DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.12.2023 REGARDING POOR LIGHTING AND SANITATION FACILITY IN LOCOMOTIVES (a) & (b): Indian Railways have taken multi-pronged action by synergizing technology, education of users and provision of mechanized equipments in sanitation/cleanliness of trains and stations including  suburban  stations  such  as  cleaning  of  stations  through mechanized  cleaning/departmental  staff  etc.,  washable  aprons  on platforms, tracks with jet cleaning arrangements, provision of garbage picking/disposal, provision of dustbins at stations, environmentfriendly  Bio-toilets  fitted  in  all  passenger  coaches  to  avoid  falling  of night soil on tracks etc. Long distance Suburban trains on Southern Railway, like MEMU, have minimum two toilets in a coach in an 8-car rake. Suburban rakes are cleaned at night stabling points on daily basis and exterior washing & interior  mopping  are  done  periodically.  Suburban  coaches  are  fitted with  LED  lights  and  designed  to  have  adequate  illumination,  as  per applicable standards along the entire length of the coaches. Further, lighting on the driver's console is also more than the specified value measured  at  the  console.  The  cab  is  provided  with  ceiling  lights designed to provide adequate illumination above floor level. Sanitation facilities  as  per  norms  are  available  in  North  Chennai  sub-urban stations. During 2019-20, a work has been executed for a value of ₹ 1.4 crore in the North Chennai section to improve the lighting facilities at stations {replacement of corroded lamp posts, box type fittings, street light fittings, Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC boxes)}.

(c) & (d): '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.

The  concern  of  security  of  passengers  in  sub-urban  stations  are properly  taken  care  of  and  to  address  it  following  steps  are  being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP/ Local police for safety and security of passengers in trains and at stations:-

- On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by  Railway  Protection  Force  in  addition  to  trains  escorted  by
- i. Government Railway Police of different States daily.
- ii. 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].
- iii. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various social  media  platforms  like  Twitter,  Facebook,  Koo  etc.  to enhance  security  of  passengers  and  to  address  their  security concerns.
- iv. Frequent  announcements  are  made  through  Public  Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
- v. CCTV cameras have been provided in a number of coaches and Railway Stations over the Indian Railways which includes suburban railway system for enhanced security of passengers.
- vi. Frequent  drives  are  conducted  against  offenders  travelling  in coaches  reserved  for  women  passengers  and  offenders  are prosecuted under Section 162 of the Railways Act.
- vii. RPF personnel have been sensitised to ensure care and protection of children found in distress at railway stations using soft skills and protocol as per Standard Operating Procedure.
- viii. Zonal  Railways  have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  proper combined strength of male & female RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties, to the extent possible.
- ix. Special  squads  like  Crime  Prevention  and  Detection  Squad (CPDS) teams, Anti Drugging Squads are also deputed in suburban trains/at stations to ensure security of passengers.
- identified/vulnerable
- x. Erection of boundary wall/fencing at locations of crime at suburban railway stations.
- xi. 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.

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