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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4298
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026
ACCIDENTS DURING TRACK MAINTENANCE
4298. DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data on accidents that occurred
during maintenance of railway tracks;
(b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
(c) the details of railway staff injured and died in such accidents; and
(d) whether there is any compensation mechanism for such losses and if
so, the details (in Rs.) for the last eleven years, year-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Following measures have been taken for the safety and welfare of
track maintenance employees:
1. Track maintainers have been equipped with essential safety gears
while working in hazardous environments. The major safety
equipment like Retro Reflective Safety Jackets (Luminous Vests),
Safety Shoes, Gloves, Safety Helmet with detachable miner's light,
Tricolour Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3 cell torch, Rain Coat, Winter
Jacket etc. have been provided to them.
2. In order to enhance efficiency and reduce physical strain of these
employees, Light Weight Tools and equipment like Spanner, Hammer,
Crowbar etc. have been provided. In addition, battery/hydraulic
operated machines and automated systems have been devised for
§light maintenance tasks like extracting/ inserting fittings, tightening
bolts, lubrication of rails joints etc. to minimize physical fatigue and
improve productivity.
3. Mechanized maintenance of tracks using various types of Track
Machines have been introduced for all types of strenuous jobs such as
tamping, ballast cleaning, lifting & aligning of track as well as
grinding, cutting, drilling of rails etc. to reduce the manual efforts.
Multi utility/ Rail borne vehicles have been provided for track
maintenance to mobile gangs.
4. To reinforce safety practices, regular counselling and medical
examinations are carried out. Regular training sessions are
conducted to raise awareness about potential hazards. The "Personal
Safety First" programme with proper safety protocols is conducted
through seminars and workshops, where these employees are trained
on ‘How to stay safe while working on or near the track’.
5. Regular training programs on track safety rules, use of machines/
tools, first-aid etc. are conducted through Zonal Training Centres
(ZTC) with practical and visual training aids for better appreciation.
6. As regard to welfare measures to employees, they have been
provided Gang Tools cum Rest Room, Gang Huts, Toilet's facilities at
manned level crossing, Water bottle (2 litre, heat insulated), family
accommodation to take care of education and health of dependents.
Further, Risk and Hardship Allowances has been provided according
to nature of duty of the track maintainers.
7. Flexibility in duty roaster as per climatic conditions and requirements
are permitted. Recognition and awards for exemplary performance in
safety and maintenance of tracks are done for encouragement of
track maintainers.8. VHF based Approaching Train Warning System gives an advance
warning to staff through handheld VHF Receiver device on changing
Advance Starter Signal to Green for coming train in block section.
These devices are being provided to staff working on railway track of
all routes for added safety in addition to normal protection
precautions. This system is being introduced progressively across
Indian Railways network. About 340 block sections have been
covered so far with this system.
As a result of the above safety measures, there is 66% reduction in no. of
deaths of railway staff during track maintenance work from 196 in 2013-14.
Railways follow a compensation mechanism under which an amount of Rs.
25 lakhs (w.e.f. 01.01.2016) as Ex-gratia lumpsum compensation is paid by
the Railways to the family/ dependents of an employee who loses his/ her
life due to accidents in the course of performance of duty.
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