Lok Sabha Question No. 410 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Accidents due to Old Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 410 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## ACCIDENTS DUE TO OLD RAILWAY TRACKS

410.  SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  rail  traffic  has  increased  and  old tracks are not able to carry the increased load and accidents are frequent;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  safety  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the Government to tackle the situation; and
- (c) the  data  and  reports  of  accidents  caused  by  human  error, equipment failure and outdated infrastructure?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 410 BY SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  27.11.2024  REGARDING  ACCIDENTS DUE TO OLD RAILWAY TRACKS

(a) to (c): As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years,  there  has been a  steep  decline  in  the  number  of  accidents  in spite of the increase in the Rail traffic. 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).

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.

<!-- image -->

There is laid down criteria for renewal/Replacement of old tracks and works are carried our accordingly every year in planned manner to meet the traffic requirement.

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  DelhiMumbai 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 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) 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).
17. 17.
18. 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.

| Expenditure on Safety related activities            | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (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       |

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                                             | Track Maintenance     | Track Maintenance    | 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            |
| 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                                                                                 | 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               |                        |

*****