Lok Sabha Question No. 975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Dehradun-Varanasi Train Accident
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 975 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## DEHRADUN-VARANASI TRAIN ACCIDENT

975.  SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Railways  are  aware  of  the  recent  incident  of Dehradun-Varanasi Janata Express jumped the track and killed 31 passengers and injured many more;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  reasons  for  the accident;

(c) whether  any  ex-gratia  have  been  given  to  the  kin  of  the deceased and severely injured in the said accident and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether  the  Railways  ordered  any  probe  over  the  incident; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 975 BY SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G. TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2015 REGARDING DEHRADUNVARANASI TRAIN ACCIDENT.

(a) & (b): On 20.03.2015 at about 09.10 hours, while the train No.14266 Dehradun-Varanasi Express was being received in line No. 1 (Loop Line) at Bachhrawan station on Lucknow-Rae Bareli single line nonelectrified section of Lucknow Division for its scheduled stoppage, the Loco Pilot of the train engine overshot the Signal and entered into the sand  hump  causing  derailment  of  train  engine  and  two  coaches including second class-cum-luggage coach. In this unfortunate accident, 39 passengers  lost their lives, 24 passengers  suffered grievous injuries and 14 passengers suffered simple injuries. As per the Preliminary report of the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Central Circle under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the derailment was caused due to the failure of Train No. 14266 Dn. Express to stop at the starter signal  on  the  Loop  Line  which  was  'RED'.  The  train  could  not  be controlled  on  account  of  non-functioning  of  train  brakes  from  the locomotive  due  to  discontinuity  of  brake  pipe  pressure  between  the train engine and the trailing load of passenger coaches. The accident has been classified under the category of 'Error in Train working'.

…..2/-

(c): Hon'ble Minister of Railways announced an enhanced ex-gratia of ` 2  Lakhs  to  the  next  of  kin  of  each  deceased, ` 50,000/-  to  each grievously  injured  passenger  and ` 20,000/-  to  each  simple  injured passenger.  An  amount  of ` 74  Lakhs  was  paid  to  the  relatives  of  37 deceased passengers and an amount of ` 14.40  lakhs  was  paid  to  24 passengers  with  grievous  injuries  and  12  passengers  with  simple injuries.  Ex-gratia  payment  could  not  be  made  to  relatives  of  two deceased  passengers  due  to  non  -identification  and  two  passengers with simple injuries who had left hospital without information.

(d) & (e):    Statutory inquiry of this accident was conducted by Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety, South  Central Circle under the Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation.  Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety,  South Central Circle, in his provisional findings has  observed  that the derailment  was  caused  due  to  the  failure  of  Train  No.  14266  Dn. Express to stop at the starter signal on the Loop Line which was 'RED'. The train could not be controlled on account of non-functioning of train brakes from the locomotive due to discontinuity of brake pipe pressure between the train engine and the trailing  load  of  passenger  coaches. The accident has been classified under the category of 'Error in Train working'.

*****