Railways, insurance companies in talks to provide cover to passengers

Officials of the Railways are holding talks with seven insurance companies

Railways is in talks with seven insurance companies to help provide insurance cover to rail travellers, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"Railway officials are holding talks with seven insurance companies. Once the decision is taken, then rail passengers can get an insurance cover for rail travel and passengers can buy it by paying an additional premium along with the ticket. Once the decision is taken, the House will be informed," Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said.

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Preliminary discussions have been held with these seven public and private insurance companies on February 9, but no decision has been taken so far, he said.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, he provided details of rail accidents in the last three years and said while there were 123 accidents in 2012-13, 118 in 2013-14 and 135 accidents in 2014-15, besides 100 in the current year 2015-16.

He said 579 cases of claims of compensation to victims of rail accidents were still pending with various Railway Tribunals which are quasi-judicial authorities.

As regards grant of compensation provided to victims of rail accidents through Rail Tribunals, he said during 2012-13 a compensation of Rs 318.85 lakh was paid, while in 2013-14 a total of Rs 149.22 lakh was paid and another Rs 127.48 lakh paid during 2014-15.

During 2015-16, a total of 115 lakh was paid as compensation to victims of rail accidents, he said.