Parliament Question: Deaths of Railway Track maintainers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2979 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025 DEATHS OF RAILWAY TRACK MAINTAINERS 2979. SHRI JAGADISH CHANDRA BARMA BASUNIA: DR. SHARMILA SARKAR: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of deaths of track maintainers due to rail accidents since 2014, year and railway zone-wise; (b) the details of the number of contractual employees of these track maintainers and the details of the compensation given to their families; and (c) the number of divisions of the railways wherein the RAKSHAK system has been introduced and along with the Government plans to expand it to other divisions? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (c) Following measures have been taken for the safety and welfare of track maintenance employees: i. 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'slight, Tricolour Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3 cell Torch, Rain Coat, Winter Jacket etc. have been provided to them. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. 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’. v. 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. vi. 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 ofdependents. Further, Risk and Hardship Allowances has been provided according to nature of duty of the track maintainers. vii. 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. viii. 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 has been reduction in no. of deaths of railway staff during track maintenance work from 196 in 2013-14 to an average of 67 per year in the last 5 years, which is a reduction of about 66%. Accident victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased individuals in train accidents. The matters of contractual employees are dealt promptly as per provisions and terms & conditions of contract. Compensation for death and injury of railway passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents, as defined under Section 124 and Section 124-A (read with Section 123) of the Railways Act, 1989, is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed by the victims/their dependents before RCT and itdisposes of the cases after following the due judicial process. Railway Administration pays compensation when a decree is awarded by Hon’ble RCT in favour of the claimant and Railways decide to implement the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount. Ex-gratia compensation is a financial assistance (Rs.25 lakhs w.e.f. 01.01.2016) paid by the Railways to the family/dependants of an employee in the event of death due to accidents while performing official duty etc. Expeditious disbursement of ex gratia amount depends on several factors such as timely submission of required documents (viz. legal heir certificate), family disputes/rival claims, verification of the cause of death etc. *****