December 4, 2024
Kalyan Banerjee’s speech on The Railways(Amendment) Bill, 2024
Thank you, Chairperson Madam. There is nothing to oppose. But I have a few suggestions. Of course, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is intended to modernise India’s Railway governance by making the Railway Board more autonomous and improving its decision-making process. This Bill repeals the 1905 Act and incorporates provisions related to the Railway Board into the 1989 Act. The Central Government invests its powers and functions with respect to railways in the Board itself. The question is regarding merger of two Acts — whether the repealed Act will meet the challenges that the Indian Railways faces in terms of operational delays, accidents and safety initiatives, bureaucratic inefficiencies, slow technical adoption and complexity of PPA model and investments, and relaxation of powers to Zones. We hope and expect that it will be done. That is the reason why modernisation has been brought through this Bill itself. Now, there are a few questions. There are questions about accidents. It is reported that an average of three consequential train accidents per month over the past five years, apart from 18 accidents, have been reported in the first five months of 2024-25 alone. As per the CRS investigation report of October, 2023, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that probes train accidents, has recommended in no uncertain terms, Kavach, in some shape or form, to save lives, even in stretches not yet included in its rollout plan. During the Budget Session also, I had pointed out this fact without reading this report. When I delivered the speech regarding Kavach, I said that. But at that time, I was not aware of this report. In 2023, the total number of passenger train accidents were 33 and the number of goods train accidents were 15; whereas, in 2021-22, accidents recorded were 21. Now, I come to major accidents. There have been 200 major train accidents with 145 involving derailments. Northern Railway has recorded the highest number of accidents in the past five years with 25 accidents, followed by Central Railway with 22 accidents. Now, I come to the Economic Survey. The Economic Survey of 2023-24 which was released on July, 22, indicates limited progress on safety-related works such as deployment of Automatic Train Protection System, Kavach and overhaul of signalling systems at all stations. My next point is with regard to the C&AG’s analysis of railway accidents. I am just going through the C&AG’s analysis. Between 2017 and 2021, derailments accounted for 1,392 accidents or 69 per cent of consequential train accidents. The next point is about the deficit of funds. That is also a C&AG’s report. The CAG of India also found a deficit of Rs. 1,03,395 crore for track renewal, sparking worries about the financial position. There is a question because of merger. Capacity constraints and operational inefficiencies necessitate improved capacity management and infrastructure development. It is just in a suggestion form. It is not to criticize. Take it as a suggestion. Overcome the outdated technology and infrastructure. The regularity framework poses significant hurdles to modernizing and enhancing the efficiency of the Indian Railways. Reducing operating cost and increase in passenger amenities can free Railways from network congestion. These are the few suggestions. Sir, I will renew two things, which I have said earlier also. Again, I am renewing. There is a need for an extension of Metro Railway from Howrah to Sheoraphuli. There is also a need for double line set up from Howrah to Amta. Single line is there. Kindly consider this. I have already talked about the safety of Grade IV staff in foggy weather. Kindly consider this also. I have not criticized you. Today, I have given some suggestions to you for consideration. And my request to kindly now implement it now. I am grateful to you.
