Parliament Question: Delay/Late arrival of Trains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3916 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2026 DELAY/LATE ARRIVAL OF TRAINS 3916. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has identified railway routes and sections with the highest frequency of train delays and if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken thereon; (b) whether any action has been taken by the Government against officials responsible for avoidable delays in train operations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government proposes to modernise railway infrastructure to reduce delays in train operations and if so, the details thereof and the timeline fixed for implementation; (d) whether passengers are compensated for excessive delays in train arrivals under any existing policy and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce new technologies, including advanced signalling and traffic management systems to improve train punctuality and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (e) Punctuality is accorded high priority on Indian Railways (IR) and all possible efforts are made to run trains on time. However, on Indian Railways, several factors affect punctuality which include foggy weather, Page 1 of 7 §path constraints, asset maintenance and other issues, alarm chain pulling, agitations, cattle run over and other unforeseen circumstances. The steps taken to improve punctuality of train services include:  Regular, continuous and real-time monitoring of punctuality of trains using technological tools and IT systems.  Use of an integrated digital platform for monitoring of train operations comprising Integrated Coaching Management System (ICMS) and Control Office Application (COA) which are integrated with National Train Enquiry System (NTES).  Progressive advancement for automatic uptake of timings by the train movement itself, is being achieved through GPS devices fitted locomotives {Real-Time Train Information System (RTIS) and Remote Monitoring and Management of Locomotives and Trains (REMMLOT)} and Data loggers integrated with the station signaling system.  IR has been replacing conventional coaches (ICF coaches) by modern light weight LHB coaches having state-of-the art technology. The Production units of Indian Railways are producing only LHB coaches from April 2018 onwards. The production of LHB coaches has continually increased during the years and about 50,000 LHB coaches have been turned out since 2014. IR has also been proliferating Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Amrit Bharat trains, for quick acceleration and deceleration.  To improve punctuality, IR also undertakes rationalisation of time tables. One such exercise, in a scientific manner, was undertaken with the assistance of IIT- Mumbai using their traffic simulator. The exercise also aimed at provisioning of fixed Integrated Maintenance blocks on all sections to minimise detention and improve punctuality.  New generation High capacity Locomotives are being utilised for Right powering of trains. Page 2 of 7 Further, with a view to minimise and mitigate the effect of fog and to assist the Loco Pilots run the train during foggy weather conditions the following steps have been taken by Indian Railways: (i) GPS based FOG SAFE DEVICE – A Global Positioning System (GPS) based portable 'Fog Safe Device' (FSD) is being provided to Loco Pilots, which displays upcoming critical landmarks such as approaching signal, level crossing gates, permanent speed restrictions etc. in advance during poor visibility conditions like fog. This device is used for safe train operation especially during winter season and to help reduce stress on Loco Pilots while running in poor visibility conditions. As on 31.05.2026, there are 33,624 Fog Safe devices available over Indian Railways. (ii) Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal (MASS) System: MASS has been introduced on the Automatic Signalling territory during abnormal conditions like Fog & Bad Weather impairing visibility. The system helps minimise delay in train operation during foggy weather conditions. Train operation during fog and poor visibility conditions is an essential component of the training curriculum and the same has already been incorporated in the Transportation Module and Technical Module of the prescribed training syllabus for Loco Pilots (LPs) and Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs).  Modernisation of Signalling infrastructure: Indian Railways is modernising the signalling infrastructure for enhanced reliability & safety. It is using reliable digital technology by provision of electronic interlocking systems with adequate redundancy (in power supply & transmission media), dual detection systems for train vehicle verification and replacement of electromechanical installations. Several improvement measures have been taken such as: Page 3 of 7a. Provision of Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals in place of old mechanical signalling. It has been provided at 6671 stations as on 30.06.2026. b. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety for verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6671 stations upto 30.06.2026. c. Axle counters for automatic clearance of Block Section, BPAC (Block Proving Axle Counter) are provided to ensure complete arrival of train without manual intervention before granting line clear to receive next train and to reduce human element. These systems have been provided on 6085 Block Sections up to 30.06.2026. d. Signalling assets maintenance are planned & under taken during Rolling Block introduced in Indian Railways (Open Lines) General Rules vide Gazette notification dated 30.11.2023, wherein work of integrated maintenance/repair/replacement of assets is planned in advance on rolling basis and executed.  Capacity enhancement: Capacity enhancement of railway network has been taken up by Indian Railways in a big way during the last 12 years. The details of commissioning/laying of new track across Indian Railways are given below:- Period New track Commissioned Average commissioning of new tracks 2009-14 7,599 Km 4.2 Km/day 2014-26 36,429 Km 8.32 Km/day (nearly 2 times) As on 01.04.2026, across Indian Railways, 514 Railway infrastructure projects (169 New Line, 29 Gauge Conversion and 316 Doubling) of total length 40,000 Km, costing approx. Rs. 8.31 lakh crore are sanctioned. The summary is as under:- Page 4 of 7Category No. of Total Length Total Projects Length Commissioned till Expenditure NL/GC/DL Mar'26 (Km) upto Mar'26 (km) (Rs. in Crore) New lines 169 16,634 3,361 1,57,572 Gauge 29 3987 3,045 24,227 conversion Doubling 316 19,379 6,177 1,23,454 TOTAL 514 40,000 12,583 3,05,253  Track Infrastructure: Strengthening, upgradation, modernisation and improvement of track infrastructure is a continuous and ongoing process over Indian Railways. The following measures are being taken by Indian Railways to upgrade railway tracks: I. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Wider and heavier Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers (PSC) with elastic fastening, fan-shaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers and H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges are being used while carrying out primary track renewals. II. The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being used in turnout renewal works. III. Supply of 260m long rail panels have been increased to avoid welding of joints, thereby improving safety and riding quality. IV. Thick Web Switch Expansion Joints are being used in place of earlier Conventional/Improved SEJs. V. Adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding. VI. Adoption of mechanized system for track maintenance using high output plain tampers and points & crossing tampers for improved maintainability & reliability of track. Page 5 of 7VII. Deployment of state-of-the-art modern machines including Rail Grinding Machines to further improve asset reliability. VIII. Mechanisation of track laying activities through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. IX. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates for enhancing safety at LC gates. X. Use of advanced Phased Array technology of testing of rail and welds. XI. Deployment of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) for comprehensive health assessment to ascertain optimal maintenance requirements. XII. Adoption of portable Track Measuring Trolley for continuous recording of track parameters in yards. XIII. Using web enabled Track Management System (TMS) for integration and data analytics of the track inspection records received through various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs. As a result of the above measures, there has been significant increase in speed potential of the tracks. The details of speed potential of railway tracks during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under: Sectional Speed 2014 2026 (kmph) Track Km % Track Km % 130 & above 5,036 6.3 24,173 22.5 110 - 130 26,409 33.3 62,482 58.1 < 110 47,897 60.4 20,897 19.4 Total 79,342 100 1,07,552 100 Results/Outcomes: Due to these initiatives, Indian railways, during 2025-26 recorded an overall punctuality of more than 77%. Page 6 of 7No. of Zones Punctuality percentage 3 Punctuality of more than 90% 09 Punctuality between 75% and 90% Full refund of fare is granted without deduction of cancellation or clerkage charge to all passengers holding reserved, RAC and wait listed tickets, if the journey is not undertaken due to late running of train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from station commencing journey, provided ticket is cancelled/ ticket deposit receipt (TDR) is filed as the case may be as per Railway Passengers (Cancellation of tickets and refund of fare) Rules 2015 within the prescribed time limit. ***** Page 7 of 7