Parliament Question: Funds for Railway Development and Safety Enhancement

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 FUNDS FOR RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY ENHANCEMENT 663. SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH BAPURAO: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any new initiatives for modernisation of railway infrastructure across the country during the last three years; (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve passenger safety and reduce railway accidents during the said period; and (d) the funds allocated and utilised for railway development and safety enhancement during the last three years, year-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (d): 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 16 (88% lesser) 2026-27( upto June 2026) 2 § Page 1 of 17Another 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 2025-26 0.01( 91% lesser) This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains. Accident Index = 234 165 135 55 16 31 2 2005-06 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 (upto June 2026) 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:- niarT laitneuqesnoC fo .oN stnediccA No. of consequential accidents No. of trains X million kilometers runYear Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.) 2013-14 39,200 2022-23 87,336 2023-24 1,01,662 2024-25 1,14,022 2025-26 1,17,693 2026-27 1,20,389 2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,671 stations up to 30.06.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure. 3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,395 Level Crossing Gates up to 30.06.2026 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 6,671 stations up to 30.06.2026. 5. 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. 6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized. 7. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots. 8. 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. 9. 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. Page 3 of 1710. 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. 11. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors. 12. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety. 13. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails. 14. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e., Flash Butt Welding. 15. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars). 16. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures. 17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works. 18. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. 19. 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. 20. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track, e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued. 21. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations. Page 4 of 1722. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done. 23. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019. 24. 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. 25. 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. 26. 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. 27. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken. 28. 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:- Page 5 of 172004-05 to 2014-15 to 2014-26 Vs. S.No. Item 2013-14 2025-26 2004-14 Technological Improvements 1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.63 Lakh Km More than rails 2.8 times (60 Kg) (Km) 2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 87,219 Km Nearly 9 (260m) (Km) times 3. Electronic 837 3,691 Stations More than Interlocking Stations 4 times (Stations) 4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.26: 352 times Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 31,693 Nos. 90 Nos. 5. Thick Web Switches Nil 35,971 Nos. (Nos.) Better Maintenance Practices 1. Primary Rail Renewal 32,260 Km 57,583 Km 1.78 times (Track Km) 2. USFD (Ultra Sonic 79.43 Lakh 2.25 Crore More than Flaw detection) 2.8 times Testing of Welds (Nos.) 3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 93 % 3,699 Nos. 272 Nos. reduction 4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 92% 2,548 Nos. 208 Nos. reduction Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock 1. New Track KM added 14,985 Km 36,429 Km Almost 2.5 (Track Km) times 2. Flyovers 4,148 Nos. 14,362 Nos. More than (RoBs)/Underpasses 3 times (RUBs) (Nos.) 3. Unmanned Level As on As on Removed crossings 31.03.14: 31.03.26:Nil (Nos.) on BG 8,948 (All eliminated by 31.01.19) 4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 49,366 More than Coaches (Nos.) 21 times Page 6 of 17Implementation of Kavach:- 1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4). 2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather. 3. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2. 4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020. 5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:- a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section. b. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length. c. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section. d. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track. e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways. 6. 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. 7. Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety for Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System. Page 7 of 178. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy, Improved Information of Signal Aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements, Kavach Ver.4.0. is planned for large scale deployment over Indian Railways. 9. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 2490 Route Kilometres as on 13.07.2026, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:- S.No. Section Progress (RouteKm) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: 1344 Rkm i Tilak Bridge – Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura 1248 –Nagda – Vadodra– Virar section (Except Mangalmhudi – Panchpipliya) ii Vadodara – Ahmedabad section 96 (2) Delhi – Howrah route: 1146 Rkm i. Chipyana – Tundla–Kanpur–Subedarganj section 563 ii. Kanpur – Lucknow section 71 iii. DDU(FOC) –Bhabua Road section 50 iv. Sasaram – Pheser section 43 v. Gaya – Sarmatarn – Nimiaghat section 159 vi. Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260 10. In addition, track side Kavach implementation work is being taken up on 21,937 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. 11. The total progress of key items of Kavach on Indian Railway sections are as under:- Page 8 of 17S. No. Item Progress i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 11,253 Km ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1,668 Nos. iii Station Data Centre 958 Station iv Installation of Track side 7,721 RKm equipment v Provision of Kavach in Loco 6,045 Nos. 12. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 7,435 Locomotives and 1,200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up. 13. Specialized training programmes on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than 94,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes about 57,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET. 14. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Jun’26 is Rs.3874.9 cr. The allocation of funds during the year 2026-27 is Rs.2066.24 crore. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works. Track construction: Capacity enhancement of railway network has been taken up by Indian Railways in a big way during last 12 years. The details of commissioning/laying of new track across Indian Railways is given below:- New track Period Average commissioning of new tracks Commissioned 2009-14 7,599 Km 4.2 Km/day 2014-26 36,429 Km 8.32 Km/day (nearly 2 times) Page 9 of 17Projects sanctioned: 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:- Category No of Total Length Total Exp Projects Length Commissioned upto Mar'26 NL/GC/DL till Mar'26 (Rs. in Crore) (km) (Km) New lines 169 16,634 3,361 1,57,572 Gauge conversion 29 3987 3,045 24,227 Doubling 316 19,379 6,177 1,23,454 TOTAL 514 40,000 12,583 3,05,253 Zone-wise/year-wise details of all Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s website. During last three years i.e. FY 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 and the current FY 2026-27, 261 projects (53 New Line, 05 Gauge Conversion and 203 Doubling) of total length 14,500 Km have been sanctioned across Indian Railways. During last three years i.e. FY 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 and the current FY 2026-27, 571 Surveys (166 New line, 03 Gauge Conversion and 402 Doubling) of total length 45,638 Km have been sanctioned across Indian Railways. Page 10 of 17Station Redevelopment: Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach. The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations of Indian Railways. The master planning, keeping in view the necessity of each station, includes:  Improvement of access to station and circulating areas  Integration of station with both sides of city  Improvement of station building  Improvement of waiting halls, toilets, sitting arrangement, water booths  Provision of wider foot over bridge/subway to commensurate with passenger traffic  Provision of lifts/escalators/ramps  Improvement of platform surface/ provision of platform shelter  Provision of kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’  Parking development  Amenities for Divyangjans  Better passenger information systems  Provision of air concourse, executive lounges, Multimodal integration, landscaping, etc. The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term. Page 11 of 17So far, 1340 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, out of which following 261 stations have been completed: Aishbagh Junction, Alnavar, Amb Andaura, Ambasamudram, Ambikapur, Amgaon, Anandpur Sahib, Anara, Angamali for Kaladi, Ashoknagar, Ayodhya Dham Junction, Bachhrawan, Badami, Bagalkot, Baheri, Baijnath Paprola, Balaghat, Balangir, Balod, Balrampur, Banmankhi, Bantawala, Barabhum, Baramati, Bareilly City, Baripada, Barmer, Barpali, Begumpet, Beohari, Bhaktinagar, Bhanupratappur, Bhilai, Bhind, Bijnor, Bimalgarh, Bommidi, Bundi, Byculla, Chaibasa, Chalakudi, Champa, Chanda Fort, Chandil, Changanassery, Chennai Park, Chhindwara, Chidambaram, Chinchpokli, Chinna Salem, Chirayinkeezh, Chunar Junction, Coonoor, Cumbum, Cuttack, Dakor, Daliganj, Dallirajhara, Dauram Madhepura, Dausa, Deeg, Derol, Deshnoke, Devlali, Dhampur, Dharwad, Dhule, Digha, Dongargarh, Eluru, Fatehabad, Fatehnagar, Fatehpur, Fatehpur Shekhawati, Ferok, Gadag, Gangapur City, Garbeta, Gauriganj, Giridih, Godda, Godhra Junction, Gogameri, Gokak Road, Gola Gokarnath, Gomtinagar, Gotan, Govardhan, Govind Garh, Govindpur Road, Govindpuri, Guruvayur, Hafizpet, Haibargaon, Haldia, Haldibari, Hapa, Harpalpur, Harrawala, Hathras City, Hi-Tech City, Himayatnagar, Hodal, Hosapete, Idgah Agra Junction, Izzatnagar, Jaisalmer, Jalandhar Cantonment Junction, Jalpaiguri Road, Jam Jodhpur, Jam Wanthali, Jangaon, Jind Junction, Joychandi Pahar Junction, Junnor Deo, Kahalgaon, Kakinada Town Junction, Kalka, Kalyani Ghoshpara, Kamakhyaguri, Kanalus Junction, Karaikkudi Junction, Karamsad, Karimnagar, Katni South, Katrasgarh, Kedgaon, Kesinga, Khairthal, Khalilabad, Khambhaliya, Khariar Road, Koppal, Kosamba Junction, Kotdwar, Kulitturai, Kuttippuram, Lasalgaon, Limbdi, Lohardaga, Lonand Junction, Madhupur Junction, Mahbubabad, Mahe, Mahuva, Mailani Junction, Majbat, Malkapur, Mambalam, Manaparai, Mandal Garh, Page 12 of 17Mandawar Mahwa Road, Mandi Dabwali, Mangalagiri, Mannargudi, Matunga, Mavelikara, MCS Chhatarpur, Mithapur, Modinagar, Mohanlalganj, Morappur, Morbi, Muktsar, Munirabad, Muri Junction, Murtizapur Junction, Nainpur Junction, Namakkal, Nandura, Narmadapuram, Narwana Junction, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Nidadavolu Junction, Nilambur Road, Okha, Orai, Orchha, Pakur, Palani, Palitana, Panagarh, Panki Dham, Paramakkudi, Parappanangadi, Parel, Parlakhemundi, Phaphamau Junction, Pirpainti, Piska, Pokhrayan, Pollachi Junction, Polur, Porbandar, Pratapnagar, Prayag Junction, Raj Nandgaon, Rajgarh, Rajmahal, Rajula Junction, Ramagundam, Ramgarh Cantonment, Ramghat Halt, Ranibennur, Rayanapadu, Sabaur, Saharanpur Junction, Sahibganj, Salempur, Samakhiyali, Samalpatti, Sanchi, Sankarpur, Sarona, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Mohali, Savda, Seoni, Shahad, Shajapur, Shamli, Shivanarayanpur, Shivpuri, Sholavandan, Shoranur Juuction, Shridham, Siddharth Nagar, Sihor Junction, Simultala, Siuri, Sojat Road, Somesar, Sri Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba, Srirangam, Srivilliputtur, St.Thomas Mount, Subramanya Road, Sullurpeta, Suraimanpur, Swaminarayan Chappia, Talcher, Tamluk, Tanakpur, Thalassery, Thawe, Thiruvarur Junction, Tikamgarh, Tirur, Tiruvannamalai, Tripunithura, Tuni, Udagamandalam, Ujhani, Urkura, Utran, Vadakara, Vadala Road, Vidisha, Vindhyachal, Vriddhachalam Junction, Wadakancheri, Warangal The activities for development at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and progress of some of the stations is as below:  Bhubaneswar station: The works of new West side and East side station building, air concourse, elevated driveway at West and East side and extension of foot over bridge have been completed. The works of improvement of platform surface, improvement of circulating area, platform shelters, lifts and escalators have been taken up. Page 13 of 17 Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station: The works of new post office building and parcel office, new Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police building at North side have been completed. The works of new arrival and departure building at South side, new waiting hall, toilet, air concourse, 6 m wide foot over bridge, through roof, new underground tanks at North and South sides, new sewage treatment plant at North and South side, new electrical sub- station building have been taken up.  Gaya station: The work of new arrival building at second entry has been completed. The works of new departure building at second entry, new arrival and departure building at main entry, new platform no. 8, new platform shelters, air concourse and improvement of circulating area have been taken up.  Nagpur Junction station: The works of relocation of passenger reservation system building and booking offices, and improvement of parking on the main entry side have been completed. The works of construction of new admin building, departure building and basement parking on main entry side, construction of departure building and unified basement on second entry side, new air concourse, improvement to platform surfacing on platform 8, and new platform shelters have been taken up.  Rameswaram station: The works of revamping Multi Functional Complex building into retiring rooms, structural works of East and North terminal building, parcel office, departure forecourt, arrival forecourt, substation building and sewage treatment plant have been completed. The finishing works of East terminal building, North terminal building, departure forecourt, sewage treatment plant, Page 14 of 17arrival forecourt, platform shelter and improvement of waiting hall have been taken up.  Tirupati station: The works of new South side station building (G+3+Basement), structural works of new North side station building, air concourse, underground and overhead water tanks, sewage treatment plant, rainwater harvesting, ramp to foot over bridge, lifts and escalators have been completed. The finishing works of station building, connecting bridge, approach road and platform shelters have been taken up. Further, development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds. Development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic handled etc. Development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not station-wise or state- wise. The fund allocation of ₹ 11,972 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26 under Plan Head – 53 and expenditure (up to June, 2026) of ₹ 4,633 crore has been incurred so far. ROBs/RUBs In order to improve safety and efficiency of train operations, Level Crossings (LCs) are eliminated either by providing Road over Bridges/ Road under Bridges (ROBs/ RUBs) in lieu of LCs or through direct closure (for low Page 15 of 17traffic LCs) or by diversion of road traffic to nearby ROB/RUB/LC depending upon the site conditions. All Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railways have been eliminated in 2019. No. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the period 2004-14 viz-a-viz 2014-26 (Upto May’26) is as under: Period ROBs/ RUBs constructed 2004-14 4,148 Nos. 2014-26 (Upto May’26) 14,451 Nos. Sanctioning of works of Road over Bridge (ROB)/Road under Bridge (RUB) in lieu of Level crossings (LCs) is a continuous and dynamic process of Indian Railway. Such works are prioritised and taken up on the basis of their impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc. As on 01.06.2026, 4,993 Nos. ROB / RUB works are sanctioned at a cost of approx. ₹1,17,492 Cr on Indian Railways which are at various stages of planning and execution. Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) In order to encourage setting up of cargo terminals through private investment, ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy has been launched. Location of the GCTs is decided on the basis of demand from industry, potential of Cargo traffic, availability of railway infrastructure and overall logistics potential of the area. Page 16 of 17So far, 142 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) have been commissioned. In addition, In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) have been granted for the development of GCTs at 310 more locations. The 142 commissioned GCTs have an estimated freight handling capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The policy has mobilized private investment of approximately ₹10,000 crore through these GCTs. Freight handled at these GCTs during 2025-26 is 146 MT. The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals cater to a wide range of commodities including cement, steel, foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, fly ash, minerals, containers, automobiles, agricultural produce and other bulk as well as non- bulk commodities. The policy has benefited key sectors such as cement, steel, power, mining, agriculture, logistics and manufacturing by providing improved rail connectivity and modern cargo handling infrastructure. The development of GCTs has enhanced rail freight movement through faster and more efficient loading/unloading, reduced first-mile and last-mile logistics costs, improved wagon turnaround, and facilitated modal shift of freight from road to rail, thereby improving the overall efficiency and competitiveness of rail-based logistics. The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy has facilitated the development of modern multimodal cargo terminals closer to production and consumption centres, thereby improving rail connectivity for local industries, agricultural produce and other commodities. The policy has enabled creation of warehousing, silos, cold storage and other value-added logistics facilities. This has enhanced the competitiveness of local industries and farmers while generating employment and promoting regional economic development. ***** Page 17 of 17