Lok Sabha Question No. 232 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Railway Accidents in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 232 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## RAILWAY ACCIDENTS IN TIRUVALLUR, TAMIL NADU

## *232. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  address  the  frequent railway accidents in Tamil Nadu particularly in the Tiruvallur Parliamentary Constituency and if so, the specific actions being implemented to prevent such incidents in the future;
- (b) the  status  of  the  installation  and  implementation  of  the  'Kavach'  train protection system on railway lines within Tamil Nadu especially in highrisk zones and the expected timeline for its completion;
- (c) whether  any  review  of  signal  systems  in  the  railway  stations  of  the Tiruvallur Parliamentary Constituency has been conducted following the recent Kavaraipettai accident and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the nature of immediate and long-term support provided by the Railways to  the  injured  passengers  and  their  families  in  the  Kavaraipettai accident along with the plans proposed to improve emergency response times and medical assistance during the railway accidents in future?

## 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  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 232 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024.

(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  including  derailments,  collisions,  fire  and  level  crossing 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 (705RKm 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. 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.

| 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                                                |

## 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                           |                      |                                                 |                |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 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                                     |                      |                                                 |                |
| 1. | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)         | 3,924                | 8,255                                           | 2.10 Times     |
|    | 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                                             |                      |                                                 |                |
| 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   |

## KAVACH

1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach  is a highly technology intensive system,  which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in  running of train within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather.
3. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2.
4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
5. 5.
6. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:
- a.  Installation  of  Station  Kavach  at  each  and  every  station,  block section.
- b.  Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- c.  Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
- d.  Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- e.  Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
6. Based on deployment of  Kavach version 3.2  on  1465  RKm  on  south central  Railway,  lot  of  experience  was  gained.  Using  that  further improvements  were  made.  Finally,  Kavach  specification  version  4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.
7. Kavach  version  4.0  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. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy,  Improved  Information  of  Signal  Aspects  in  bigger  yard, Station  to  Station  Kavach  interface  on  OFC  and  Direct  Interface  to existing  Electronic  Interlocking  System.  With  these  improvements, Kavach  Ver.4.0.  is  planned  for  large  scale  deployment  over  Indian Railways.
9. Progress of Key items comprising Kavach system on Indian Railways upto Oct' 2024 is as under: -

| SN.   | Items                                | Progress   |
|-------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i     | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 5116 Km    |
| ii    | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 538 Nos.   |
| iii   | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 521Nos.    |
| iv    | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 687 Locos  |
| v     | Installation of Track side equipment | 3413 Rkm   |

The above includes fully deployed Kavach System on 1548 Rkm.

10. Next phase of Kavach implementation is planned as under:-
- a. Project for equipping 10,000 Locomotives has been finalized.
- b. Bids for track side Works of Kavach for approximately 15000 RKm have  been  invited,  out  of  which  Bids  for  about  9000  Rkm  have been opened.  It covers all GQ, GD, HDN and Identified sections of Indian Railways.
11. Parts of the routes mentioned above is also passing through the state of Tamil Nadu.
12. Currently,  3  OEMs  are  approved  for  supply  of  Kavach  System.  To increase capacity and scale of implementation, trials and approval of more OEMs are at different stages.
13. Specialized  training  programme  on  Kavach  are  being  conducted  at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than 9000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.

The accident that occurred at Kavaraipettai on 11.10.2024 in Southern Railway is being inquired into by the independent statutory body, Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) under Ministry of Civil Aviation.

09 passengers got injured in the said train accident. Injured passengers  were  provided  first  aid  and  emergency  medical  services  at accident  site  as  well  as  during  transportation  to  hospitals  by  Railway Medical Teams.

Ex-Gratia @Rs.2.50 Lakh each to 04 grievously injured and Rs. 50,000/each to 05 simple injured has been paid. Accordingly, a total amount of Rs. 12.50 Lakh (Grievously Injured-Rs.10 Lakh and Simple Injured-Rs.2.50 Lakh) has been paid as ex-gratia.

Compensation for death/injury of railway passengers in train accidents and  untoward  incidents  as  defined  under  Section  124 and  Section  124-A (read  with  Section  123)  of  the  Railways  Act,  1989,  is  decided  by  Railway Claims  Tribunal  (RCT)  on  the  basis  of  a  claim  application  filed  by  the victims/their  dependents  before  RCT  and  it  disposes  of  the  cases  after following the due judicial process. Railway Administration pays compensation  when  a  decree  is  awarded  by  Hon'ble  RCT  in  favour  of  the claimant and Railways decide to implement the decree.

Indian Railways is always prepared to respond in a quick and effective manner in  case  of  any  accident.  In  case  of  major  train  accidents  the  first responders  are  the  railway  staff  on-board  the  train.  They  are  trained  in handling such emergencies. Immediately on receipt of information regarding a  major  train  accident,  Indian  Railways  responds  immediately  utilizing  its own setup, equipment, doctors, and staff, also coordinating  with the  state government and the district administration to start carrying out rescue and relief  immediately.  The  initial  focus  is  on  saving  lives,  attending  to  the injured and providing succour to stranded passengers. Indian Railways has a network  of 176 Accident Relief Trains(ARTs), 97 high capacity  140T Breakdown  diesel-hydraulic  cranes  and  170  Accident  Relief  Medical  Vans (ARMVs) placed at identified locations which cover the entire rail network. In addition, Portable Medical Kits for accidents have also been provided at identified  locations  to  render  immediate  medical  support.  ARMVs  are  like hospital on wheels that are rushed to the site, fully equipped with medical equipment supplies and personnel. Additional equipment like road vehicles, earthmovers,  ambulances  etc  are  also  requisitioned  for  attending  to  such accidents.  Roles  of  every  officer  and  staff  in  case  of  an  accident  are  laid down and they are appropriately trained and empowered to discharge their duties.

Besides above, Zonal Railways regularly conduct Joint mock drills with NDRF and other agencies such as Civil Defence, Fire Brigade, City Police and Medical teams towards preparedness for immediate rescue and relief in the aftermath of accidents.

Medical  teams  are  rushed  to  accident  site  for  providing  medical assistance  to injured passengers.  Injured passengers  are  admitted  in available  nearby  Railway/State  Government  hospitals.  Local  hospital  near the accident site are kept on alert mode to mobilize the medical team and ambulances to the site. A first aid booth is setup at accident site round the clock  with  the  Doctors  and  Para  Medical  Staff  till  the  restoration  work  is completed.

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