Steep Decline In Train Accidents: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (image: facebook.com/ashwinivaishnawbjp)
New Delhi: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Parliament that as a result of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in consequential train accidents in the country. In response to some questions raised in the Lok Sabha over train accidents in the past five years, i.e., during the period from 01.11.2019 to 31.10.2024 Minister made the reply citing facts.
“It may be noted that the consequential train accidents during the period 2004-14 was 1711 (average 171 per annum), which has declined to 678 during the period 2014-24 (average 68 per annum),” Minister said.
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Adding further, Minister said that another important indicator that shown improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has been reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2023-24.
On a question posed on the total financial loss incurred by the Government due to railway accidents, Minister replied: “Total cost of damages to railway property such as Rolling stock/Tracks etc., in consequential Train accidents during the past five years (from April 2019 to March 2024) have been assessed as Rs.313 Cr.”
The reason behind train accidents are broadly categorised as track defects, Loco/Coach defects, equipment failures, and human errors, which might cause damage to the Railway property that includes track, rolling stock, OHE equipment, and signaling gears.
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Minister also mentions about over these years 22 victims has registered for claims under the Optional Travel Insurance Scheme. No death claims were registered during these period with any of the insurance companies under Optional Travel Insurance Scheme, he added.
A statutory body, the Commissioner of Railway Safety under Ministry of Civil Aviation and Department Inquiry Committees carry out the inquiries into the rail accidents. They submit their findings in the accidents and appropriate action is taken by the Railway Administration based on their recommendations.
