RAIL ACCIDENTS BY HUMAN FAILURE

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Train accidents, due to human failure comprised 84.66% of total of train accidents during 1999-2000. These remained at the level of 84.98% and 78.55% during 2000-2001 and 2001-02 (provisional figures) respectively.

The following measures were taken for training of staff on safety related aspects:

1. Training facilities for Drivers, Guards and Staff connected with train operations are being upgraded including use of Simulators for training of Drivers.
2. Seminars/Workshops/Field demonstrations are also held from time to time to improve knowledge of field staff.
3. Refresher Courses and Safety Camp are mandatory for safety category staff and is arranged periodically.
4. Intensive training of crew in operation of air brake stock and provision of detachable pressure gauge for air braked trains has been introduced.
5. Performance of the staff connected with train operations is constantly monitored and those found deficient are sent for ‘Crash Training Course’ also.
6. Periodical safety drills are launched to inculcate safety consciousness among staff.

In addition, following measures are also underway for enhancing safety of passengers:-

1. A non-lapsable Special Railway Safety Fund of Rs.17,000/- crores has been set up for renewal of over aged assets and for safety enhancement works.
2. Fouling Mark to Fouling Mark(FM to FM) track circuiting on entire ‘A’, ‘B’ ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘D’ Special’ routes where speed is more than 75 kmph have been completed. Remaining portion of the work is under progress.
3. A pilot project of AWS on trial basis for Tughlakabad-Mathura section of Central Railway has been sanctioned on trial basis. The tender for the same is under process.
4. Extended field trials of Anti Collision Device (ACD) have been sanctioned for Northern Railway. After successful completion of extended field trials, a decision would be taken for its application on other routes of Indian Railways.
5. Last vehicle check by Axle Counter have been introduced on over 175 block sections and more sections are being progressively added.
6. State of the art technology of Digital Mobile Train Radio Communication has been sanctioned on some important sections for providing duplex radio communication between driver/guard and control.
7. Drivers and Guards are also being progressively provided with LED based electronic flashing lamps which have better visibility than the conventional kerosene lit hand signal lamps.
8. There has been progressive increase in use of Tie Tamping and ballast cleaning machines for track maintenance. Track Renewal Trains are also being used. This gives superior track geometry.
9. For detection of hidden flaws in rails/welds, adequate double rail Ultra Sonic Flaw Detectors have been procured. Self-Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing Cars are being procured.
10. To improve crash worthiness of coaches, as an immediate measure, coach interiors are being re-designed with improved fittings and features, which would not cause injury. Simultaneously, the coach body will be re-designed to absorb more impact so as to keep passenger carrying areas intact.
11. Redesigning the coach interior and fittings to minimize injury to passengers from sharp corners, edges etc.
12. A project has been planned to improve crashworthiness of passengers coaches by re-designing coach bodies to absorb collision/derailment impacts.

This information was given by Shri O.Rajagopal, Minister of State for Railways in a written reply to a question by Shri K.Rama Mohana Rao in the Rajya Sabha today.