Initiatives taken in last nine years for rail safety have yielded good results says Arjun Munda
There is a steep decline in the number of consequential train accidents from
473 in 2000-01 to 48 in 2022-23: Arjun Munda
Union Minister for
Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda today said that the Government has taken several
important critical steps to improve railway safety. Arjun Munda said that
Indian Railways is the lifeline of the country and plays an important in Indian
economy as well as provides an easy means of transportation for the people
throughout the country. He was briefing media on the measures taken by the
Government in the past nine years to step up Railway Safety,
in New Delhi today. He also said that Government's priority is to ensure
safety of railways and those travelling by it and for this all the necessary
initiatives have been taken in last nine years and these have yielded good
results.
Arjun Munda said
that Government has taken many important steps in terms of expansion projects,
new projects in North East, Central India and other projects connecting
different parts of India to meet the growing requirements of the people
and the economy.
Briefing the media
about the number of train accidents, he said there is a steep decline in the
number of consequential train accidents from 473 in 2000-01 to 48 in 2022-23.
He also informed
that the average number of consequential train accidents during the period,
2004-14 was 171 per annum, while the average number of consequential train
accidents during the period, 2014-23 declined to 71 per annum. He said railways
has constituted an important fund for enhancing Railway Security by the name of
Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) which has been introduced in 2017-18 for
replacement/renewal/upgradation of critical safety assets, with a corpus of 1
lakh crore for five years. From 2017-18 till 2021-22, a Gross expenditure of
Rs. 1.08 lakh crore was incurred on RRSK works.
He also said that
Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points
and signals have been provided at 6427 stations up to 31.05.2023 to eliminate
accidents due to human failure.
He further informed
that Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11093 level
Crossing Gates up to 31.05.2023 for enhancing safety at LC gates.
Shri Arjun Munda
said that Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety for
verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6377
stations up to 31.05.2023.
Briefing the media,
he also said that, locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices
(VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots. Loco pilots are able to get timely
alerts and ensure safety of the passengers.
Arjun Munda said
that Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located
two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to warn the crew
about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather. He said all
these measures have given good results.
He said that the
current government has taken safety and security measures for the common people
and railways contribution to economy has been ensured through all these
measures including food and energy security in the country.
Click here for details
on measures for Railway Safety
Executive Director,
Rail safety, Ashok Nakra gave a detailed presentation on the subject to the
media.