Improvement in Passenger Safety

Railway projects are sanctioned/executed Zonal Railway wise and not State-wise, as Indian Railways network spans across various State boundaries.

Railway tracks are replaced through track renewal works which is an ongoing process. Track renewal works are undertaken as and when a stretch of track becomes due for renewal on the basis of criteria laid down in the Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual on age/condition basis viz. traffic carried in terms of gross million tonnes, incidence of rail failure, wear of rails, corrosion of rails, maintainability of track as per standards etc. Track renewal works are normally completed within 2 to 3 years from date of sanction. The details of the active track renewal works are as under:-

Railway-wise details of active track renewal works as on 17.03.2021 are as under:

 

Government is focusing on elimination of level crossings for increased safety of road users and railway passengers by providing Road Over Bridges (ROB)/Road Under Bridges (RUB). Railway-wise details of sanctioned ROB/RUB/Subways are as under:-

Details of Railway-wise sanctioned ROB/RUB/Subways as per Pink Book 2020-21 are as under:-

Zonal Railway	ROB	RUB/ Subways	TOTAL	Railway Share (Rs. in Cr)	State Share (Rs. in Cr)	Total (Rs. In Cr)
Central	94	241	335	1637.06	998.36	2635.42
Eastern	84	111	195	2019.82	2244.68	4264.50
East Central	145	257	402	3510.83	3409.85	6920.68
East Coast	71	198	269	2508.28	1911.88	4420.16
Northern	154	683	837	5033.07	4357.95	9391.02
North Central	154	589	743	4704.01	3337.24	8041.26
North Eastern	44	317	361	1794.07	1023.67	2817.75
North East Frontier	8	117	125	489.56	201.42	690.98
North Western	71	1475	1546	3176.09	1695.00	4871.08
Southern	251	660	911	6233.66	4283.59	10517.25
South Central	147	422	569	5418.44	4782.70	10201.13
South Eastern	44	187	231	1995.76	1107.96	3103.72
South East Central	74	291	365	2287.17	858.11	3145.28
South Western	77	155	232	1136.08	892.70	2028.78
Western	207	857	1064	4630.61	3121.53	7752.14
West Central	94	119	213	2360.67	1471.05	3831.72
Total	1719	6679	8398	48935.17	35697.69	84632.86

 

The construction of ROBs depends upon availability of encroachment free land for approach roads, shifting of utilities, allocation of adequate funds by State Governments, public support etc. Therefore, it is not possible to fix timelines for completion of these ROBs.

Railway-wise details of track renewal carried out and expenditure incurred in the last ten years are as under:-

Year-wise details of track renewal done (in Track km) in last ten years are as under:

 

Year-wise details of expenditure (in Cr. of Rs) on track renewal works in last ten years are as under:

 

Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continuous basis to prevent accidents and to enhance safety. Upgradation of infrastructure to improve passenger safety is a continuous ongoing process. Various inputs have been continuously given like introduction of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, introduction of Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) technology in signalling, enhanced track renewals, electronic interlocking of stations and level crossing gates and elimination of unmanned and manned level crossing gates.

With a view to improve fire safety in running trains, fire retardant furnishing materials are being provided in coaches and Fire and Smoke Detection System is being provided in all newly manufactured Air Conditioned coaches. Further, Fire Detection and Suppression System is being provided in all newly manufactured Power cars and Pantry cars.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.