Indian Railways Provides Safety Fencing Along Railway Tracks Across Zones for 16,398 km to Prevent Trespassing and Ensure Safe Train Operations

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Railways is implementing safety fencing across 16,398 km of railway tracks to prevent trespassing and enhance operational safety, particularly on routes with speeds exceeding 110 kmph. As of 18 March 2026, significant progress was reported on the ₹209.38 crore Lonavala-Pune-Daund project, which includes the construction of pedestrian subways. This information was formally presented by the Union Minister for Railways in the Lok Sabha to highlight ongoing infrastructure safety measures. **Key Points / Main Content** **Infrastructure and Safety Objectives** * Indian Railways (IR) accords top priority to the safety of train operations by installing safety fencing to prevent trespassing and ensure smooth transit. * Fencing is specifically mandated for routes where train speeds exceed 110 kmph and at other identified vulnerable locations. * The project integrates pedestrian subways with safety fencing to facilitate the safe crossing of cattle, pedestrians, and small vehicles across railway alignments. **Lonavala-Pune-Daund Project Status** * A dedicated budget of ₹209.38 crore has been sanctioned for safety fencing along the entire Lonavala-Pune-Daund route. * The project scope involves approximately 290 km of fencing and the construction of associated pedestrian subways. * The tender for the entire section has been awarded, with 150 km of fencing completed to date. **Zonal Distribution and Coverage** * A cumulative total of 16,398 km of safety fencing has been installed across various railway zones. * The North Central zone leads in coverage with 2,721 km, followed by South Central (2,326 km) and Western (2,257 km). * Other zones with significant fencing include North Western (1,539 km), West Central (1,415 km), and Central (966 km). **Impact Analysis** **Pedestrians and Local Residents** **Impact** The safety of residents is improved by physical barriers that prevent accidental or unauthorized track entry, while pedestrian subways provide designated safe crossing points. **Action Required** Residents must utilize the provided pedestrian subways rather than attempting to cross tracks directly. **Indian Railways and Zonal Authorities** **Impact** Operational efficiency is protected by reducing accidents involving cattle or unauthorized persons, particularly on high-speed routes. **Action Required** Authorities must continue to execute sanctioned works, monitor tender progress for remaining sections, and maintain the 16,398 km of existing fencing. **Livestock Owners and Small Vehicle Operators** **Impact** The provision of fencing and subways reduces the risk of cattle strikes and provides a safer transit route for smaller vehicles that previously crossed tracks at-grade. **Action Required** Owners must ensure livestock and vehicles are diverted through the sanctioned pedestrian subways to prevent accidents and damage to railway property.

Key Entities Referenced