642 Written Ans. to Ustd. Ques. [RAJYA SABHA] of 22 December, 2017 5. Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. The train escorting parties have been briefed to keep extra vigil on the ladies coaches en route and at halting stations in long distance trains. 6. Surprise checks are conducted in trains to ensure security of passengers and alertness of train escorting staff. 7. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precaution against theft, snatching etc. 8. Through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers including women passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern. 9. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises. 10. Liaison is made by RPF with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains. Increase in frequency of Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Train 930. SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Railways have any proposal for compulsory attachment of anti-accident coaches in all the trains across entire railway routes, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is a fact that there are complaints about old and dilapidated coaches in Ranchi-bound Rajdhani train; and (c) whether Railways would consider increasing the frequency of Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani train, if so. the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN): (a) The different designs of coaches plying over Indian Railways (IR) are having necessary safety features considering the operating conditions over IR systems. In an effort to improve the safety performance over IR, the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) type coaches which are having better safety features like anti-climbing and are manufactured using stainless steel are being proliferated. (b) Out of 60 coaches running in Ranchi Rajdhani Express, 19 coaches are in the age profile of 5 to 9 years. Balance 41 coaches have an age profile of 1 to 4 Written Ans. to Ustd. Ques. [27 December, 2017] of 22 December, 2017 643 years. The prescribed codal life of LHB coaches is 35 years, hence these coaches are well within their codal life. A letter dated 23.03.2017 from Shri Ram Tahal Choudhury, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (M.P.), Lok Sabha and another letter dated 15.11.2017 from Shri Parimal Nathwani, Hon’ble M.P., Rajya Sabha have been received. In these letters, issues regarding maintenance of coaches of Ranchi Rajdhani Express have been raised. After receipt of these communications, Northern Railway has been advised to carry out a check of the coaches running in Ranchi Rajdhani Express and ensure proper maintenance. Northern Railway has also been directed to improve the condition of coaches of this train. (c) Presently, Ranchi and New Delhi are connected on 4 days in a week by 2 pairs of bi-weekly Rajdhani Express trains viz. 12439/12440 Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (bi-weekly) [via Bokaro] and 12453/12454 Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (bi-weekly) [via Daltonganj]. On the remaining 3 days of the week, 12877/12878 Ranchi-New Delhi Garib Rath Express (tri-weekly) [via Daltonganj] runs on a common path/timings with the Rajdhani group of trains between Son Nagar and New Delhi via Mughalsarai. Owing to the non-availability of path and resource constraints including severe line capacity limitations/congestion on the Mughalsarai- Allahabad-Ghaziabad-New Delhi section, running of Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express on a daily basis is not feasible, at present. Derailment of Kalinga Utkal Express 931. SHRI AMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether derailment of Kalinga Utkal Express near Muzaffarnagar, U.P. resulted in death of several passengers on the 19th August, 2017 and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether derailment of this train was caused on account of negligence on part of those carrying out track maintenance work at Khatauli yard in Muzaffarnagar Distt., and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether senior officers of the Railway Board, who are generally concerned with the policy matter, have been suspended and junior officers, entrusted with the maintenance of railway line have not been touched and if so, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN): (a) and (b) Yes, Sir. 13 coaches of Train No.18477 (Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express) derailed between Khatauli-Mansurpur stations of Delhi- Saharanpur Section of Delhi Division of Northern Railway on 19th August, 2017 wherein 25 rail passengers lost their lives. In order to determine the reasons of .