Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Train Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal, Nusrat Jahan Ruhi, Sumalatha Ambareesh, Nalin Kumar Kateel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## TRAIN ACCIDENTS

2115.   SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: MS. NUSSRAT JAHAN: SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of train accidents that were reported during the last five years;
- (b) the  total  number  of  people  who  died,  were  injured,  were rendered  handicapped  in  these  accidents  during  the  above period,  year-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  investigation  to find out the reasons for the train accidents, if so, the findings of these investigations;
- (d) the number of such inquiries that are still pending;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any preventive measures to put an end to such train accidents, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has improved the safety and security measures  in  Railways  in  the  recent  years,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO  2115  BY  SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA  PAL,  MS. NUSSRAT  JAHAN,  SHRIMATI  SUMALATHA  AMBAREESH  AND  SHRI NALIN  KUMAR  KATEEL  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING TRAIN ACCIDENTS

(a)  &  (b):  The  year-wise  details  of  number  of  consequential  train accidents, number of persons who lost their lives, number of persons grievously  injured  and  number  of  persons  simply  injured,  during  the last five years, is given below:

| Year                 |   Number of Consequential train accidents |   Number of persons who lost their lives |   Number of persons grievously injured |   Number of persons simply injured |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 2018-19              |                                        59 |                                       37 |                                     32 |                                 80 |
| 2019-20              |                                        55 |                                        5 |                                     21 |                                 61 |
| 2020-21 (Covid Year) |                                        22 |                                        4 |                                      0 |                                 11 |
| 2021-22 (Covid Year) |                                        35 |                                       17 |                                     23 |                                 24 |
| 2022-23              |                                        48 |                                        8 |                                      6 |                                 75 |

The trend of consequential train accidents from 2000-01 to 2022-23 is given below :-

<!-- image -->

It may be noted from the graph above, there is a steep decline in the number of consequential train accidents from 473 in 2000-01 to 48 in 2022-23.

The  average  number  of  consequential  train  accidents  during  the period,  2004-14  was  171  per  annum,  while  the  average  number  of consequential train accidents during the period, 2014-23 has declined to 71 per annum.

- (c)  &  (d):    Departmental  Inquiry  Committees and the statutory body, the Commissioner of Railway Safety under Ministry of Civil Aviation are the  main  agencies  probing  the  causes  of  different  accidents.  During the last five years (i.e. 2018-2023), 201 accident cases were investigated  by  Departmental  Inquiry  Committee  and  18  cases  have been  investigated  by  Commission  of  Railway  Safety.  As  per  the recommendations suggested by the different accident inquiry committees in their report, appropriate action has been taken by the Railway Administration.

(e) & (f):   The following measures have been taken by the Government in the recent years to  prevent train accidents, and to improve safety and security over Indian Railways:

## Safety Measures:

1. 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 2017-18 till  2021-22,  a  Gross  expenditure  of  Rs.  1.08  lakh  crore  was incurred on RRSK works.
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6427
3. stations  upto  31.05.2023  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.
8. 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 visibility is low due to foggy weather.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Mechanisation  of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
12. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby ensuring safety.
13. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding  and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
14. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
15. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
16. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout renewal works.
17. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
18. 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.
19. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety  of Track e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
20. 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.
21. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done.
22. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
24. 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
23. inspections.
24. 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.
25. 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. 26.
29. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
27.  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.

## Security Measures:

1.   On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2.    For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with National Emergency No. 112).
3.  Railways is in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook,  koo  etc.  to  address  their security concern.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5.    Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras  provided  in  7264 coaches in trains and 866 Railway stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6.  Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
7. 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.
8. 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.

The overall Safety performance and investment is as 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   | Comparison of the period 2014-23 with the period 2004-14   |
|-------|------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
|       |                              |            | Cumulativ e for 10 years       | Average Per Year               | Cumulative for 9 years         | Average Per Year               |                                                            |
| A.    | Track Maintenance            |            |                                |                                |                                |                                |                                                            |
| 1.    | Expenditure on Track Renewal | Rs. In Cr. | 47,018                         | 4,702                          | 91,809                         | 10,201                         | 2.2 Times                                                  |
| 2.    | Rail Renewal Primary         | TKM        | 32,260                         | 3,226                          | 37,284                         | 4,143                          | 1.3 Times                                                  |

| 3.   | Use of high quality rails (60 Kg)                                                         | KM         | 57,450                 | 5,745                  | 1,23,717                                           | 13,746                                             | 2.4 Times      |
|------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 4.   | Longer Rail Panels (260m)                                                                 | KM         | 9,917                  | 992                    | 68,233                                             | 7,581                                              | 7.7 Times      |
| 5.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails                                        | TKM        | 20,19,630              | 2,01,963               | 26,52,291                                          | 2,94,699                                           | 1.5 Times      |
| 6.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds                                        | Nos.       | 79,43,940              | 7,94,394               | 1,73,06,046                                        | 19,22,894                                          | 2.4 Times      |
| 7.   | Track KM added                                                                            | TKM        | 14,985                 | 1,499                  | 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                                    | 80% Reduction  |
| 9.   | Rail fractures                                                                            | Nos.       | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2013-14 : 2548      | In 2022-23: 531                                    | In 2022-23: 531                                    | 79% Reduction  |
| 10   | Thick Web Switches                                                                        | Nos.       | Nil                    | Nil                    | 15,146                                             | 1,683                                              |                |
| 11   | Track Machines                                                                            | Nos.       | As on 31.03.14 = 748   | As on 31.03.14 = 748   | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                              | As on 31.03.23 = 1548                              | 2.1 Times      |
| B.   | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                                                           |            |                        |                        |                                                    |                                                    |                |
| 1.   | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing                                                    | Nos.       | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2014: 8948 | As on 31.03.2023: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 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. Underpasses) | 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 Rehabilitation                                                                     |            |                        |                        |                                                    |                                                    |                |

| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation                                        | Rs. In Cr.       | 3,919               | 392                 | 6,380                         | 709                     | 1.8 Times   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------|
| D.   | Signalling Works                                                            |                  |                     |                     |                               |                         |             |
| 1.   | Electronic Interlocking                                                     | Stati ons        | 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 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.14 : 90 | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742       | As on 31.03.23 : 19,742 | 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 Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 12,711                        | 1,412                   |             |
| 3.   | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars | Nos. of Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 2,635                         | 293                     |             |
| 4.   | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches                          | Nos. of Coac hes | 0                   | 0                   | 39,819                        | 4,424                   |             |
| F.   | Gross Budgetary Support for Railway Investment (GBS FY 23-24 : Rs 2.4 Lakhs | Rs. In Cr.       | 1,56,739            | 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   |