**Executive Summary**
Indian Railways is prioritizing train punctuality through integrated IT systems, advanced monitoring, and the induction of new-generation coaches and locomotives. Key initiatives include providing Fog Safe Devices to loco pilots and implementing a Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal system, with significant progress reported in achieving high punctuality rates across various divisions by March 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Punctuality Monitoring and Improvement:**
* Punctuality is measured by train arrival at the destination within the scheduled time.
* Integrated digital platforms like ICMS, COA, and NTES are used for real-time monitoring.
* GPS devices (RTIS, REMMLOT) and data loggers on locomotives and signaling systems enable automatic and realistic timing updates.
* Timetable rationalization, aided by IIT-Mumbai's traffic simulator, aims to minimize detention.
* New generation, high-capacity locomotives are utilized for better train powering.
* **Safety and Fog Operations:**
* 29,848 GPS-based Portable 'Fog Safe Devices' (FSD) are provided to loco pilots to display critical landmarks and ensure safe operation in fog.
* A Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal (MASS) system has been introduced in automatic signaling territories to mitigate fog-related delays.
* Training on operating trains in fog and poor visibility is incorporated into the syllabus for Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots.
* **Fleet Modernization:**
* Conventional ICF coaches are being replaced with modern, lightweight LHB coaches, with production units exclusively producing LHB coaches since April 2018.
* Over 50,000 LHB coaches have been produced.
* Proliferation of Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and Amrit Bharat trains with quick acceleration and deceleration capabilities is ongoing.
* **Punctuality Results (as of March 2026):**
* In the fiscal year 2025-26 (up to February 2026), Indian Railways recorded an overall punctuality of over 77%.
* 24 divisions achieved punctuality of more than 90%.
* 19 divisions recorded punctuality between 80% and 90%.
* Across all divisions, 77% punctuality was achieved.
* **Infrastructure Development:**
* Significant increase in new track commissioning from 7,599 Km (2009-14) to 34,428 Km (2014-25), more than doubling the average daily commissioning.
* Approximately 80% of tracks are upgraded to 110 kmph, and 50% to 130 kmph.
* As of April 1, 2025, 431 railway infrastructure projects totaling 35,966 Km are sanctioned, costing ₹6.75 lakh crore. These include new lines, gauge conversion, and doubling/multitracking.
* Capacity augmentation works are expected to improve train punctuality.
* **Challenges Affecting Punctuality:**
* **Mixed Traffic:** Different train types (Vande Bharat, Mail/Express, passenger, freight, etc.) with varying speeds share the same tracks, necessitating precedence for passenger trains.
* **Heavy Traffic Load:** Approximately 25,000 trains per day, with highly congested routes like Delhi-Howrah and Mumbai-Kolkata, impacting punctual running.
* External factors such as foggy weather, path constraints, asset maintenance, alarm chain pulling, agitations, and cattle run-overs also affect punctuality.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Loco Pilots**
* **Impact:** Increased safety during foggy conditions due to GPS-based Fog Safe Devices displaying critical landmarks, and reduced stress during poor visibility.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the provided Fog Safe Devices for safe train operation.
* **Indian Railways (Operations and Management)**
* **Impact:** Real-time monitoring of train operations, improved punctuality rates, enhanced safety, and increased efficiency through integrated IT systems and advanced technologies. Modernization of the coach fleet and introduction of new trains contribute to improved service.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and leveraging integrated IT systems, advanced monitoring systems, LHB coach induction, AI-based timetable analysis, and infrastructure development projects.
* **Passengers**
* **Impact:** Improved punctuality leading to more reliable and timely train services. Enhanced safety measures, especially in adverse weather conditions.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but will benefit from improved services.
* **Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs)**
* **Impact:** Training curriculum updated to include train operation during fog and poor visibility conditions, enhancing preparedness.
* **Action Required:** Participate in and complete the updated training modules.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The primary subject of the policy, focusing on its punctuality and operational improvements.
Fog Safe Device' (FSD): A GPS-based portable device provided to loco pilots to enhance safety during fog.
Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal (MASS) System: A system introduced to minimize train delays during foggy weather conditions.
Integrated Coaching Management System (ICMS): Part of an integrated digital platform for monitoring train operations.
Control Office Application (COA): Part of an integrated digital platform for monitoring train operations.
Ministry of Railways
Over 90% Punctuality in 24 Divisions of Indian
Railways in this Fiscal So Far; 19 Divisions
Record 80–90% Punctuality
29,848 GPS Based Portable ‘Fog Safe Device’ (FSD) Provided
to Loco Pilots; Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal System
Introduced to Ensure Safer Operations in Fog
Integrated IT Systems, Advanced Monitoring Systems, LHB
Coach Induction, AI-Based Timetable Analysis, and Utilising
New Generation High Capacity Locomotives also Improving
Punctuality
Posted On: 13 MAR 2026 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
The punctuality of train services is measured on terminating basis and expressed in terms of the
percentage of trains arriving at the destination station within specified time limit after the scheduled
arrival time of the train.
Monitoring of Punctuality:
Punctuality is accorded high priority on Indian Railways (IR). IR makes all possible efforts to run trains
on time. To ensure regular, continuous and real-time monitoring of punctuality of trains, technological
tools and IT systems have been put in place.
IR is using 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.
Data loggers ensure real time and realistic reporting of arrival / departure of passenger trains at
stations.
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 more than 50,000 LHB coaches have been turned out. IR has also been proliferating
Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Amrit Bharat trains, 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.
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:
(a) 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 31.01.2026, there are 29848 Fog Safe devices available over Indian Railways.
(b) 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).
पंुअलटी को इंूव करने के लए अलग-अलग अोचेज ह। पहला- बहुत सार टकल टल्स लगाए
गए ह। ूसरा- मटनस ैस को सफक टली इंूव कया गया ह। तीसरा- ICF कोचेज का LHB म
कन्वजन और चौथा - कोच ट न सेट कन्वजन : रल मंी ी @AshwiniVaishnaw जी pic.twitter.c
om/7Q6ZdAe3Jo
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 13, 2026
Results/outcomes:
Due to these initiatives, Indian railways, during 2025-26 (upto February,2026) recorded an overall
punctuality of more than 77%.
No. of Divsions Punctuality percentage
24 Punctuality of more than 90%
19 Punctuality between 80% and 90%
All Divisions of Indian Railways 77%
24 डवजन्स ऐस े ह जनम 90% स े अधक पंुअलटी आ चुक ह। 43 डवजन्स ह जनम 80% से
अधक ह और 8 डवजन्स ह जनम 95% स े अधक पंुअलटी आ चुक ह: रल मंी ी @Ashwini
Vaishnaw जी pic.twitter.com/ZWJQ7kOOdn
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 13, 2026
The Challenges:Several factors, both internal and external, affect punctual running of trains which include foggy weather,
path constraints, asset maintenance, alarm chain pulling, agitations, cattle run over and other unforeseen
circumstances. The major challenges that affect running of trains include:
1. Mixed Traffic - Different types of trains with different speeds run on the same track. Vande
Bharat, Mail/ Express, Passenger trains, Suburban, Freight trains, Military consignments, Engineering
machines, etc. having different speed utilise the same track. This leads to requirement of precedence
for passenger carrying trains over freight and other trains affecting the through running of trains.
Indian Railways has been taking many measures including infrastructure projects such as Eastern
Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) to create
dedicated freight paths to give exclusive access to freight trains.
2. Heavy Traffic load - Indian railways run approximately 25,000 trains per day including
suburban and freight trains. The major routes like Delhi - Howrah, Mumbai - Kolkata, etc are highly
congested affecting punctual running of trains.
Capacity increase of existing network :
Increase of capacity of existing rail network has been taken up in a big way during the last 11 years. The
details of new tracks commissioned are as under:-
Period New track Commissioned Average commissioning of new tracks
2009-14 7,599 Km 4.2 Km/day
2014-25 34,428 Km 8.6 Km/day (more than 2 times)
Today, approximately 80% of the tracks are upgraded to 110 kmph and about
50% of the tracks are upgraded to 130 kmph: Hon’ble MR Shri @AshwiniVaishna
w pic.twitter.com/OuNF7XiZqM
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 13, 2026
Further, as on 01.04.2025, across Indian Railways, 431 Railway infrastructure projects (154 New Line, 33
Gauge Conversion and 244 Doubling) of total length 35,966 Km, costing approx. ₹ 6.75 lakh crore are
sanctioned. The summary is as under:-
Category No of Total Length Commissioned Total Exp
Projects Length till Mar’25 (Km) upto Mar’25
NL/GC/DL (₹ in Cr)
(km)
New Lines 154 16,142 3,036 1,45,318
Gauge 33 4,180 2,997 22,753
ConversionDoubling / 244 15,644 6,736 1,22,858
Multitracking
Total 431 35,966 12,769 2,90,929
Zone-wise/year-wise details of all Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian
Railway’s website.
With these capacity augmentation works, the punctuality of the trains will improve.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha
today.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Nayan Solanki/ Manik Sharma
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