Parliament Question: Derailment of trains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3320 ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026 DERAILMENT OF TRAINS 3320 SHRI DEREK O' BRIEN: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the total number of train derailments reported in the last five years, with zone-wise break-up; (b) the number of persons who died, injured or suffered permanent disability in these incidents; (c) the compensation paid to the next of kin and the injured, the amount pending and reasons for any delays; (d) the number of derailments that were investigated along with the findings and action taken; and (e) whether Government has estimated the economic loss from these derailments, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (e): Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents. Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:- Year Consequential Accidents 2014-15 135 2025-26 (upto 28.02.2026) 14 (90% lesser) Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accident Index, the details of which are as under:- Consequential Accident Index:- Year Accident Index 2014-15 0.11 2024-25 0.03 (73% lesser) This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains. No. of consequential accidents Accident Index = No. of trains X million kilometers run §234 s t n e d i c c A 165 n i a r T l 135 a i t n e u q e s n o C 55 f o . o 31 N 14 2005-06 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2025-26 (Feb 2026) Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and casualties (including railway passengers and railway personnel) therein are as follows:- No. of Consequential No. of Deaths No. of Injuries Period Train Accidents 2004-05 to 2013-14 1,711 904 3,155 2014-15 to 2023-24 678 748 2,087 2024-25 31 18 92 2025-26 (upto 14 16 28 February 2026) The cost of damage to railway properties in consequential train accidents (including derailments) during the last five years (from 2020-21 to 2024-25) has been about Rs 432.91 crore. Each rail accident is inquired into either by the Commission of Railway Safety, a statutory body under Ministry of Civil Aviation or by the Railway Departmental Inquiry Committees as per laid down norms. As per the inquiries, the causes of the accidents that took place over Indian Railways broadly include track defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors, etc. §The agencies, after due deliberations, submit their findings and establish the responsibility of officers/staff leading to the rail accidents. The officers/staff held responsible are taken up under „Railway Service (Disciplinary & Appeal) Rules‟ by the respective Zonal Railway. The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:- 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:- Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.) 2013-14 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 39,200 87,336 1,01,662 1,14,022 1,17,693 1,20,389 2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,665 stations up to 28.02.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure. 3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,153 Level Crossing Gates up to 28.02.2026 for enhancing safety at LC Gates. 4. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6,669 stations up to 28.02.2026. 5. Indian Railways has gone for implementation of indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which required safety certification of highest order (SIL 4). Kavach has been adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 1,452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi- Howrah routes as below: SN Section Progress Route (Km) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: i Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura –Nagda section 667 ii Vadodara - Ahmedabad section 96 iii Vadodara - Virar section 336 (2) Delhi – Howrah route: i Gaya Sarmatanr section 93 ii Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260 §Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 RKM covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. 6. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Signalling, e.g. mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol, preparation of completion drawing, etc. have been issued. 7. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re- emphasized. 8. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots. 9. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to alert the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather. 10. A GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots in fog affected areas which enables loco pilots to know the distance of the approaching landmarks like signals, level crossing gates, etc. 11. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with elastic fastening, fan shaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track renewals. 12. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors. 13. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety. 14. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails. 15. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e., Flash Butt Welding. 16. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars). 17. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures. 18. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works. 19. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. 20. Web based online monitoring system of track assets viz. Track database and decision support system has been adopted to decide rationalized maintenance requirement and optimize inputs. 21. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track, e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued. §22. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations. 23. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done. 24. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019. 25. Safety of Railway Bridges is ensured through regular inspection of Bridges. The requirement of repair/rehabilitation of Bridges is taken up based upon the conditions assessed during these inspections. 26. Indian Railways has displayed Statutory “Fire Notices” for widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are provided in every coach so as to educate and alert passengers regarding various Do‟s and Don‟ts to prevent fire. These include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc. 27. Production Units are providing Fire detection and suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and Smoke detection system in newly manufactured coaches. Progressive fitment of the same in existing coaches is also underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner. 28. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken. 29. Concept of 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 up to 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan. The details of the Safety related works related to better maintenance practices, Technological improvements, better infrastructure and rolling stock etc. undertaken by Railways are tabulated below:- 2004-05 to 2014-15 to 2014-25 Vs. S.N. Item 2013-14 2024-25 2004-14 Technological Improvements 1. Use of high-quality rails 57,450 Km 1.43 Lakh Km More than (60 Kg) (Km) 2 times 2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 77,522 Km Nearly (260m) (Km) 8 times 3. Electronic Interlocking (Stations) 837 Stations 3,691 Stations More than 4 times 4. Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.) As on As on 31.03.25: 288 times 31.03.14: 25,939 Nos. 90 Nos. 5. Thick Web Switches (Nos.) Nil 28,301 Nos. §Better Maintenance Practices 1. Primary Rail Renewal (Track Km) 32,260 Km 49,941 Km 1.5 times 2. USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw 79.43 Lakh 2 Crore More than detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) 2 times 3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 90% reduction 3699 Nos. 370 Nos. 4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than 2548 Nos. 289 Nos. 88%reduction Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock 1. New Track KM added (Track Km) 14,985 Km 34,428 Km More than 2 times 2. Flyovers (RoBs)/Underpasses 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than (RUBs) (Nos.) 3 times 3. Unmanned Level crossings As on As on 31.03.24: Nil Removed (Nos.) on BG 31.03.14: (All eliminated by 8,948 31.01.19) 4. Manufacture of LHB Coaches 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than (Nos.) 18 times Accidents victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased and injured in train derailments during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) is Rs. 3.07 Crores. Compensation for death and injury of railway passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents, as defined under Section 124 and Section 124-A (read with Section 123) of the Railways Act, 1989, is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed by the victims/their dependents before RCT and it disposes of the cases after following the due judicial process. Railway Administration pays compensation when a decree is awarded by Hon‟ble RCT in favour of the claimant and Railways decide to implement the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount. The amount of compensation paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased and injured in train derailments during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) is Rs. 2.38 Crores. It may be noted that the compensation paid in a year need not necessarily relate to the accidents/ casualties in that year alone. The amount paid in a year depends upon the number of cases finalized by Railway Claims Tribunals (RCTs) or other Courts of Law in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident, have occurred. Compensation is paid within 30 days after the receipt of judgment. ***** §