opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Rail Linkages in Gujarat
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA, DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## RAIL LINKAGES IN GUJARAT

2905.        SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the number of surveys proposed for projects of rail linkages on DMIC in Gujarat during the last five years i.e. 2010-11 to 2014-15;
- (b) the  number  of  surveys  for  projects  of  rail  linkages  on  DMIC  line started and completed;
- (c) the time by which the surveys of remaining projects are likely to be started and completed; and
- (d) the  number  of  construction  projects  of  rail  linkages  on  DMIC  line which has already started?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) : The Government of Gujarat has requested Ministry of Railways for the development of certain rail linkages which fall in the influence area of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) region.

During the period from 2010-2011 to 2014-2015, five surveys for the Railway infrastructure projects have been taken up in the DMIC region of the State of Gujarat. Out of the five surveys taken up, the Reports for three surveys  have  been  completed.  No  target  dates  have  been  fixed  for  the remaining two projects. Of the completed surveys, the Gauge Conversion Project of Ahmedabad-Botad has been taken up for implementation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Decrease in Indian Students in UK
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN, SULTAN  AHMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## DECREASE IN INDIAN STUDENTS IN UK

2904. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY: SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN: SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  Indian  students  studying  in  UK  has  decreased considerably in recent years;
- (b) if so, the details for the last three years;
- (c) whether stringent visa rules by Britain have adversely affected the Indian students aspiring to study in UK;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether India has taken up the matter with Britain; and
- (f) if so, the response of UK thereto?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Yes.
- (b) The number of Indian students enrolled in the UK universities was 39,090 in  2010-11,  29,900  in  2011-12,  22,385  in  2012-13  and  19,750  in  2013-14 according to the data published by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency.
- (c) & (d) Withdrawal of the post-study work visa facility for the students is one of the reasons that has adversely affected the number of Indian students aspiring to study in the UK.
- (e) Yes.
- (f) This issue has been  raised consistently by India in the bilateral discussions held with UK. In such discussions, UK side has acknowledged that there has been a decline in the number of Indian students coming to study in UK. They have stated that there is no cap on the number of Indian students coming to study in UK and that they in fact welcome Indian students to UK.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Investments under Make in India
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2903

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

## INVESTMENTS UNDER MAKE IN INDIA

## 2903.

## SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Department  of  space  is  planning  to  attract investments  from  private  players  under  Make  in  India
- (a) initiative;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Department  is  looking  to  undertake  lateral hiring to meet the shortage of skilled professionals in space agencies;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  looked  into  the  issue  of creating an Aerospace command to link civilian applications with military application; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b)  The space systems, products and services dealt in pursuance  of  space  activities  are  of  high  technology  & strategic  in  nature  and  hence,  these  are  highly  restricted for  collaborations.  Under  these  circumstances,  attracting investments under the envelope of 'Make in India' in space

activities generally experience difficulties in practice. However, Department of Space (DOS) has chosen the path of indigenisation of high technology systems and has been successful in realisation.  Due  to  stringent  requirements  of space qualified systems, long gestation period for realisation, DOS has been engaging the Indian industry with appropriate support in indigenisation and production efforts.

Commensurate  with  the  scope  of  space  activities  and increased demands for space based services in the country, DOS  has  taken  initiatives to achieve  higher  levels of participation of Indian industry in space activities.

- (c)&(d) Presently,  DOS  does  not  look  for  any  lateral  induction  of specialists  from  space  agencies.    However,  a  mechanism exists  in  ISRO  to  provide  lateral  induction  to  those  Indian citizens, possessing Ph.D qualification and who are working in  India  /  foreign  countries  in  specific  areas  of  expertise, which  are  of  relevance  to  the  Indian  Space  Programme through assessment of individuals' technical competencies. For the present, no such provision has been made for nonPh.D  holders,  evincing  interest  to  come  back  to  India  to pursue career in Space.
- e) Department  of Space  is mandated  for harnessing benefits of space technology for national development.
- f) Does not arise.
- the

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: New Broad Gauge between Nalgonda and Macherla
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2902 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## NEW BOARD GAUGE BETWEEN NALGONDA AND MACHERLA

2902.   SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  proposal  of  new  broad  gauge  railway  line  from Nalgonda  to  Macherla  is  pending  with  the  railways  for  approval  for change of alignment and allocation of sufficient funds for  taking  up the project;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the railways has taken any decision in this regard; and
- (d) 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 (d)  Yes, Madam. Macherla-Nalgonda (92 Km.) new   line project was taken up at an anticipated cost of ` 815 crores.  At the stage of Final  Location  Survey,  issue  of  change  of  alignment  was  raised  by public representatives and the State Government but in the meantime, a bankability study was conducted by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited and it was found that the project is financially unviable and can neither be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicle route nor through Public Private Partnership mode. So the project could not be taken forward.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Certification Scheme
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: JYOTI DHURVE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## CERTIFICATION SCHEME QUESTION

## †2901. SHRIMATI JYOTI DHURVE:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any scheme for the certification of workers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether certification of formally and conventionally skilled workers is also likely to be done through this scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (d) Government  has  initiated  a  skills  development  and  certification  initiative for the purpose of skills up-gradation of workers in the construction sector based on the concept  of  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning  (RPL).  Beneficiaries  of  the  scheme  are  the construction  workers  registered  with  State  Labour  Welfare  Department.  Expenses incurred towards training, assessment and wage compensation of the workers are to be met from the Building and Other Construction Worker's (BOCWs) Cess. The workers are  pre-assessed  as  per  the  pre-determined  criteria  on  the  basis  of  which  they  are provided skill  gap  training.  Training  Providers  are  reimbursed  the  training  cost  @  Rs. 30/- per hour per trainee and workers are given Wage compensation at the rate of Rs. 35/-  per  hour  per  person  to  compensate  wages  during  training  and  assessment.  The scheme  is  operational  in  the  States  of  Delhi,  Haryana,  Telangana,  Odisha  and Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh.

Further,  Government  has  launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY) on 15 th July, 2015 across the Country which has the target to benefit 24 lakh persons with training of 14 lakh fresh entrants and certification of 10 lakh person under RPL within one year.  Certification of formal and conventionally skilled workers is done under RPL of the scheme. As on 30 th November, 2015, 5,289 candidates have been enrolled  in  65  training  centres  under  PMKVY-RPL  for  27  job  roles  developed  by  17 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) in 17 States and 01 Union-Territory with coverage of 50 Districts.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2898 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Connecting SAARC Nations through Rajdhani Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

- (a):  No, Madam.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): Passenger  trains  already  operate  between  India  and  Pakistan  as well as India and Bangladesh.

## *******

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2898 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## CONNECTING SAARC NATIONS THROUGH RAJDHANI EXPRESS

2898.        DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)    whether the  Government has any plan of connecting Indian towns with the SAARC nations through Rajdhani Express;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Mobile Number Portability
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI, BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2896

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  DECEMBER, 2015

## MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY

## †2896. SHRI RAJU SHETTY: SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

Will  the  Minister  of  COMMUNICATIONS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  mobile  phone  consumers  who  have  opted  'ported  out'  and 'ported in' facilities after the commencement of full Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in the country, operator-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  has  received  complaints regarding the violation of MNP norms and delaying portability;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against the guilty operators by the Government, State and operator-wise; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the  mobile  service and to make it consumers friendly?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (d) The information is being collected and shall be laid on the Table of the House.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Broad Gauge
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2895 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## BROAD GAUGE

## 2895. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Satpura narrow gauge line is running at loss;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  convert  the  stretch from narrow gauge to broad gauge in order to reduce travel distance of trains running north to south; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam.  During the year 2013-14, narrow gauge line in Satpura region incurred a net loss of ` 393 crore against an annual expenditure of ` 542 crore with an annual earning of ` 149 crore.

(c) & (d): Three  narrow  gauge  Railway  lines  falling  in  Satpura region, viz. (i) Chhindwara - Mandla Fort (182 Km), (ii) Chhindwara Nagpur  (150  Km)  and  (iii)  Jabalpur  -  Gondia  (285  Km)  have  been taken up at a total cost of ` 3461 crore with an allocation of ` 830 crore for 2015-16.  Gauge Conversion of Nagpur - Nagbhir (106 Km) narrow gauge line has also been included in the Budget subject to requisite Government clearances.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Mobility Card for Delhi
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2894

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2015

## MOBILITY CARD FOR DELHI

No.2894. SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will  the  Minister  of  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  recently  introduced  a  Common Mobility  Card  for  use  in  Delhi  Metro  and  other  transportation facilities in the capital;
- (b) if so, the details and salient features thereof;
- (c) the response received by the Government so far;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to extend the utility of the Common  Mobility  Card  to  other means  of  transportation throughout the country; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  possibility  explored  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) :No, Madam.

(b)&(c): Do not arise.

Contd…..2….

- (d) Yes, Madam.
- (e) Government has taken following actions towards implementation of National Common Mobility Card
- (NCMC):
- (i) Advised National Payment  Corporation of India (NPCI)  to  develop  and  manage  indigenously  the ecosystem for Clearing and Settlement, Key Management, Simulating Cards, Terminals & Network,  a  support  base  of  vendors  for  providing certified  tools,  cards,  terminals  and  other  services etc.
- (ii) Taken decision that certification and authentication mechanism has  to  be  developed  by  a  Government agency or NPCI.
- (iii) Circulated  the  business  model  of  Kochi  Metro  Rail Ltd. (KMRL) for Common Mobility Card to all metro rail companies to explore the possibility of adopting the same at regional level.

x-x-x-x-x
Lok Sabha Question No. 2893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: DRS and AERB Safety Norms
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2893

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## DRS AND AERB SAFETY NORMS

## 2893.  SHRIMATI  MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  State  Governments  have  been  instructed  to  start  their  own Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) and enforce Atomic Energy Regulatory Board's safety norms;
- (b) if so, the number of States that have established such bodies till date; and
- (c) whether explanation has been sought from the States that are yet to establish such department and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes, Sir. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has been pursuing with the State Governments and Union Territories for establishing Directorates of Radiation Safety (DRS) for carrying out inspection of the medical diagnostic X-ray facilities in the respective States.
- (b) AERB has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Governments in thirteen States for establishing the Directorates of Radiation Safety (DRS) or Radiation Safety Agency (RSA). Of these thirteen States, DRS / RSA is functional in six States.
- (c) With regard to the States that are yet to establish DRS / RSA, AERB has been pursuing with them for establishing DRS / RSA and authorising them to carry out inspection of the medical diagnostic X-ray facilities in the respective States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Centre for Bio Molecular Engineering Institute for Synthetic Biology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SANGANNA AMARAPPA KARADI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2892 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16/12/2015

## CENTRE FOR BIO MOLECULAR ENGINEERING INSTITUTE FOR SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

## 2892. SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- whether   the Government has set up proposes to set up "Centre for   Bio Molecular Engineering Institute for Synthetic Biology in the country;
- (6) if the details thereof and the location identified for the purpose; SO,
- whether any land is notified for the up of this institute and if the details thereof; setting ` SO,
- whether any Committee is formed to look after this project; and
- (e if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be set up with the steps taken by the Government in this regard? along

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (Y.S. CHOWDARY)

- Centre for Molecular Engineering Institute for Synthetic in Bangalore from Govt. of Karnataka. The proposal iS for a Centre to be located in an existing institute. Biology
- (e) Yes Madam; Department of Biotechnology has constituted an Expert Committee t0 evaluate thz proposal and revision has been recommended.

The proposal is under consideration by the Department:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Development of Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR, T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2888 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## DEVELOPMENT OF STATIONS

2888.  SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR: SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  asked  NRIs  to  adopt  and  develop  railway stations  in  their  hometowns  and  is  in  touch  with  the  Indian  Embassies abroad;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the response received thereto;
- (c)  whether  the  two  Committees headed one each by E. Sreedharan and Bibek  Debroy  have  submitted  their  reports  for  complete  overhauling  of Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details of action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): Guidelines for provision of passenger amenities at railway stations  through  Individuals,  NGOs,  Trust,  Charitable  Institutions, Corporates, etc. which, inter-alia, provide for provision/ improvement/replacement  of  Passenger  Amenities,  beautification/ landscaping  of  station  &  circulating  area,  cleanliness  of  station premises,  etc.  at  their  cost,  have  been  circulated  to  Embassy/High Commission of India in Australia, Canada, UK & USA for publicizing to elicit participation of interested NRIs.

No response has been received from NRIs in this regard so far.

(c) &  (d):  The  Committee  headed  by  Shri  E.  Sreedharan  was constituted on 13.11.2014 for suggesting further delegation of power to  General  Managers  and  other  operating  levels  on  tendering  and commercial  matters.  The  final  report  has  been  submitted  by  the Committee  on  11.03.2015.  A  sub-Committee  has  been  set  up  to evaluate  the  recommendations  of  Committee  and  suggesting  a framework for implementation sequence duly taking into account the practical aspects.

The  Committee  for  Mobilisation  of  Resources  for  Major  Railway Projects  and  Restructuring  of  Railway  Ministry  &  Railway  Board headed by Dr. Bibek Debroy had submitted its final report. Recommendation of the committee pertaining to accounting reforms, empowerment of zones and divisions, integration of IT and cleaning initiatives  and  setting  up  of  an  investment  advisory  committee  are already  under  implementation.  However,  recommendations  such  as organizational restructuring, setting up of regulator with over arching powers and other recommendations require in depth examination  and  extensive  consultations  as  their  implementation would entail large scale changes in the existing systems.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Derailment of Chennai-Mangalore Express Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2887 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 16.12.2015

## DERAILMENT OF CHENNAI-MANGALORE EXPRESS TRAIN

2887. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Chennai-Mangalore Express Train derailed near  Puvanur Station in Tamil Nadu recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  has  instituted  an  enquiry  into  the mishap; and
- (d) if so, the outcome of the said inquiry and the action taken by the Railways thereon?

## 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.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.2887  BY  DR.  P.  VENUGOPAL  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  16.12.2015  REGARDING  DERAILMENT OF CHENNAI-MANGALORE EXPRESS TRAIN.

(a) & (b):  On 04.09.2015 at 01:55 hours, while the Train No.16859 Down Chennai Express was on run between  Puvanur and Vindhachalam Jn. Stations of Tiruchchirappalli Division of Southern Railway, its 2 coaches capsized  and  3  coaches  derailed.    In  this  accident,  2  passengers suffered grievous injuries and 3 passengers suffered simple injuries.

(c)  &  (d):  Statutory  inquiry  of  this  accident  was  conducted  by  the Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety  (CRS)/Southern  Circle under the Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation.    The  CRS  in  the  provisional  findings  of  his preliminary report has observed that the derailment was caused due to rail  fracture.    The  accident  has  been  classified  under  the  category 'Failure of Equipment-Rail Failure'.

The action taken by Railway on the immediate recommendation of  CRS  includes  imposition  of  suitable  speed  restrictions  at  locations having  severe  corrosion  and  patrolling  of  track  during  period  when temperature  is  low.    Track  renewal  has  also  been  taken  up  at  such locations prone to fracture.

*****