Lok Sabha Question No. 1667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Fire Incidents in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## FIRE INCIDENTS IN TRAINS

1667.  SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be  pleased to state:

- (a) whether the incidents of fire accidents in the coaches of trains are on the increase;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current year with the details as to the number of persons killed, seriously hurt and the value of the property lost in these accidents;
- (c) whether the Railways has installed fire alarm or warning systems at least in all AC coaches of the superfast Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Garib Rath and Duranto Trains and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to reduce the number of fire accidents on the trains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (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 UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1667  BY  SHRI  B.  SENGUTTUVAN  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.12.2015 REGARDING FIRE INCIDENTS IN TRAINS

- (a) : No, Madam. Consequential fire accidents in coaches are showing a declining trend in the last three years from 9 in year 2012-13 to 7 in 2013-14, 6 in year 2014-15 and nil in the current year 2015-16 till date.
- (b) : Details are indicated below.
- (c) :   A  pilot  project  for  provision  of  Comprehensive  Fire  and  Smoke Detection  System  has  been  taken  up  in  one  rake  of  New  DelhiBhubaneswar  Rajdhani  Express  on  East  Coast  Railway.  Besides,  one LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) rake in New Delhi - Jammu Tawi Rajdhani train  and  one  AC  Double  Decker  rake  running  between  KachigudaTirupati/Guntur have also been provided with such a system. Based on the feedback from initial trails, Board has sanctioned for extended field trails.

| Year                    | No. of Fire Accidents   | No. of passengers lost life   | No. of passengers grievously injured   | Cost of damages   |
|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 2012-13                 | 9                       | 31                            | 10                                     | 111.72 lakhs      |
| 2013-14                 | 7                       | 35                            | 05                                     | 408.68 lakhs      |
| 2014-15                 | 6                       | Nil                           | Nil                                    | 66.49 lakhs       |
| 2015-16 till 15 th Nov. | Nil                     | Nil                           | Nil                                    | Nil               |

- (d):   Followings steps are being taken on Indian Railways to prevent fire accident in trains:-
-  Indian Railways have always endeavored to enhance fire worthiness of coaches by using fire retardant furnishing materials to mitigate effect of fire. Specifications for such furnishing materials have been periodically  reviewed  to  incorporate  fire  retardant  parameters  in  line with  UIC  (International  Union  of  Railways)  and  other  international norms.  All  new  manufacture  of  coaches/periodical  overhauling  of existing coaches is being carried out with fire retardant specifications of the furnishing materials wherever condition based replacements are warranted.
-  Fire  extinguishers  are  being  provided  in  all  Air-conditioned  coaches, Second  class-cum-guard  and  luggage  vans,  Pantry  cars  and  train locomotives.
-  Improved  materials  for  electrical  fittings  and  fixtures  such  as  MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker), light fittings, terminal boards, connectors, etc., are being used progressively.
-  Detailed instructions have been issued to zonal railways for observance  of  safe  practices  in  handling  of  pantry  cars  and  for ensuring periodical inspection of electrical and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) fittings in the pantry cars.
-  Intensive  publicity  campaigns  to  prevent  the  travelling  public  from carrying inflammable goods are regularly undertaken.
-  Frequent drives against carrying of inflammable/dangerous articles in trains as well as station premises are undertaken.

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