During the last three years, the number of consequential train accidents (including accidents at Unmanned Level Crossings) have decreased from 135 in 2014-15, to 107 in 2015-16 and further to 104 in 2016-17.  In the current year (upto 15^th December, 2017) the number of consequential train accidents have reduced to 52 as compared to 87 in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the Railway Budget 2016-17, Mission Zero Accident was one of the Missions announced, comprising the two sub-missions:

1. Elimination of unmanned level crossings (UMLC) over broad gauge in the next 3-4 years.
2. Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to prevent collisions and signal passing at danger by the Loco Pilot.

As far as steps taken for improving tracks is concerned, 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 Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual on age cum condition basis viz. traffic carried in terms of gross million tonnes and incidence of rail fracture/failure, wear of rails and maintainability of track as per standards etc. In case any stretch of track is not renewed in time due to various reasons including scarcity of funds, material etc., suitable speed restrictions, if required, are imposed to ensure safe running of trains.

In order to improve signaling,  electrical/electronic interlocking system with centralized operation of points and signals are being provided to eliminate human failure and to replace old mechanical systems.

Superior and safer Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches having anti-climbing features have been  progressively introduced on Indian Railways to reduce the fatalities in case of accidents.    

In the Budget 2017-18, an exclusive fund called “Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh” (RRSK) has been made with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore over a period of 5 years for giving a major boost to safety related works over Indian Railways for improving safety of tracks, rolling stock and proliferation of other safety technologies and training of staff. 

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 05.01.2018 (Friday).

 

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