Parliament Question: Difficulties in Train Operations due to Fog

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 DIFFICULTIES IN TRAIN OPERATIONS DUE TO FOG †*165. SHRI JAI PARKASH: SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that during the winter season due to dense fog frequent delays, cancellation and safety-related difficulties arise in the operation of trains passing through Haryana, particularly Hisar, Hansi, Sonipat and Jind districts under Northern Railways; (b) if so, the details of the number of trains affected due to fog in the said districts since 2021 till date along with the details of delayed, partially cancelled and fully cancelled trains; (c) whether timely information and adequate alternative arrangements are not sufficiently available to passengers during fog conditions and if so, the details and the reasons therefor; (d) the steps taken with regard to fog safety devices, advanced signalling, training of loco pilots and passenger information systems to ensure safe and smooth train operations during the fog; and (e) the future action plan of the Government to enhance the reliability of rail services during fog in the said districts? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ***** §STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 IN LOK SABHA (a) to (e) Fog and climate related conditions affect all modes of transportation - road, rail and air. As the Railway network straddles across district boundaries, trains are operated across such boundaries. Further, Indian Railways makes all efforts to run trains as per their schedule and punctually. However, foggy weather conditions sometimes affect normal operation of train services causing delays, cancellations and partial cancellations. During the period i.e. 2021-22 to 2025-26, approximately 2.7% of scheduled Mail/Express trains operating on the entire Northern Railway network (which serves Sonipat and Jind areas) and approximately 0.8% of scheduled Mail/Express trains operating on the entire North Western Railway network (which serves Hisar & Hansi areas) were cancelled due to foggy weather during the months of December to February. During the same period, 12.1% of scheduled Mail/Express trains of Northern Railway and 4.4% of scheduled Mail/Express trains of Northern Western Railway lost their punctuality. Safety measures during Foggy conditions: Detailed guidelines for Zonal Railways already exist regarding safe train operations during foggy and inclement weather. These instructions are reiterated to Zonal Railways from time to time, particularly at the beginning of winter season every year. To mitigate the effect of fog, to assist the Loco Pilots in train operations and to ensure safety of passengers during foggy weather conditions, Indian Railways have taken various measures which include  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 poorvisibility conditions. As on 31.12.2025, there are 29,489 Fog Safe devices available over Indian Railways.  Electrical/Electronic Interlocked Signalling with Absolute or Automatic block working systems are provided for safe & smooth train operation in the sections. To minimize delays upto some extent during foggy weather, provision of Modified Semi-Automatic Stop Signal has been made in Delhi – Sonipat section where automatic signalling system has been provided. Staff training for Foggy condition: Railway employees including Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots are given structured training at various stages of their career. Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots are imparted structured training on fog-related safety procedures function of various safety equipment VCD, Fogsafe/FogPass device during initial training as well as periodic refresher courses conducted at Railway Training Centres. The training modules created for initial and promotional as well as refresher courses for Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots, cover the functioning, safety features, and emergency protocols related to automatic signaling. Detailed training modules including on Kavach system as per prescribed periodicity are available for respective categories at initial and promotional stages along with refresher courses as well as specialized training courses, laying emphasis on practical aspects which help them in skill upgradation and assimilation with related advanced technology, keeping a focus on overall safety and passenger experience. These modules are also updated keeping in view the technological changes in working practice. Training Centres located all over Indian Railways impart various type of trainings i.e. Initial, Promotional, Refresher & Specialized:  Initial Training - for the purpose of introducing the new entrants to the various facets of Railway operations and management. Promotional Training - for the purpose of preparing serving staff in advance for jobs of higher responsibilities.  Refresher Training – for the purpose of refreshing the serving employees periodically with new ideas and principles for improving efficiency in their jobs.  Specialized Training – for the purpose of updating the knowledge of technological developments, quantitative techniques, etc. e.g. PRS, new locomotives, signalling system, Track Technology etc. On Indian Railways, for dissemination of information to the travelling passengers, there is a system of sending messages(SMS) to the passengers in case of train diversion, short termination, partial cancellation and delayed running of trains. *****