Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Damage to Railway Property
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LALLU SINGH, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## DAMAGE TO RAILWAY PROPERTY

†*164. SHRI LALLU SINGH: SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  trains  cancelled  or  diverted  during  the  recent Reservation agitation in some parts of Northern India;

(b)    the  total  loss  suffered  by  Railways  on  account  of  damage  to properties or  cancellation of tickets during the above period;

- (c)  whether  the  negligence  of  railway  security  forces  and  State administration have come to the notice of the Union Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)      whether  any  mechanism  is  in  place  to  recover  damages  from those  who  indulge  in  riots,  arson  and  looting/damage  to  public properties and if so, the details thereof; and

(e)  the measures taken by Railways to protect its property from such agitations in future?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU )

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 164 BY SHRI LALLU SINGH AND SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.03.2016 REGARDING DAMAGE TO RAILWAY PROPERTY.

- (a)  During  the  period  of  active  agitation  from  12-24  Feb  2016,  2134 (1033  Mail/Express  &  1101  Passenger)  train  services  were  fully cancelled  and  259  Mail/Express  trains  were  diverted.  In  addition  to this,  430  (229  Mail/Express  &  201  Passenger)  train  services  were partially cancelled.
- (b)  The  total  loss  suffered  by  Railways  on  account  of  damage  to property and cancellation of tickets during the recent Jat agitation is about ` 55.92 crores.
- (c)  Policing  on  Railways  is  a  State  subject.  Prevention  of  crime, registration of cases, their investigation in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Police, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP) of the State concerned. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP by deploying their staff for escorting of important  trains  in  affected  areas  and  for  access  control  duties  at important and sensitive railway stations. There was no negligence on the part of Railway Protection Force.

(d)  No  mechanism  exists  in  Railways  for  recovery  of  damage  from those  who  indulge  in  riots,  arson  and  looting/damage  to  public property.

(e)  Measures  are  taken  to  protect  the  railway  property  from  such agitations in future:-

1. Regular sharing of intelligence is done in co-ordination with Intelligence Bureau, Local Police and State intelligence agencies to ensure smooth functioning of railways.
2. Necessary arrangement are made to protect the Railway property in coordination with Civil Police and GRP  at affected stations/ sections.
3. RPF  holds  regular  coordination  meetings  with  State  Police  at  all levels  to  ensure  proper  registration  and  investigation  of  crime  by GRP and to deal with such situations.
4. Legal action is taken against the Offenders/agitators under relevant legal provisions.
5. Coordination  is  also  done  with    Gram  Pradhan  as  well  as    local villagers to collect information   during such agitations.

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