Parliament Question: Inquiry of Accident on Mumbai Suburban Railway

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 397 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025 INQUIRY OF ACCIDENT ON MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAY *397. DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has initiated any inquiry into the recent accident near Mumbra railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway Network and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government is aware of the long-pending demand for increasing the number of local trains and rectifying the known hazards in Mumbra-Diva section; (c) if so, the steps taken to address these challenges; (d) whether the Government has conducted any safety audit/socio technical review of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Network during the last three years; and (e) if so, the details thereof? 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. *****-1- STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 397 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025 (a) to (e): A committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of incident near Mumbra station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. Safety Measures Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways and Safety Audits are done regularly. As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents. Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25 as shown in the graph below. It may be noted that the Consequential Train Accidents during the period 2004-14 was 1711 (average 171 per annum), which has declined to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 3 in 2025-26 (upto June). Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25, indicating an improvement of approx. 73% during the said period. 234 165 135 55 48 40 35 31 22 3 2005- 2009- 2014- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2025-26 06 10 15 20 21 … 22 … 23 24 25 (up to Jun'25) --2/- stnediccA niarT laitneuqesnoC fo .oN-2- Infrastructure Augmentation Works Under MUTP II, 5th and 6th line between Thane and Diva (9.44 RKm) was completed and commissioned in February 2022. Further to improve the infrastructure in Mumbai suburban railway services, following projects have been sanctioned: S.No. Name of Project Length Cost (km) (Rs. in crore) 1 CSMT-Kurla 5th& 6th Line (MUTP-II) 17.5 891 2 Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th Line (MUTP-II) 30 919 Extension of Harbour Line from Goregaon-Borivali 3 7 826 (MUTP-IIIA) 4 Borivali-Virar 5th& 6th Line (MUTP-IIIA) 26 2,184 5 Virar-Dahanu Road 3rd& 4th Line (MUTP-III) 64 3,587 6 Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor (MUTP-III) 29.6 2,782 Airoli-Kalwa (elevated) Suburban Corridor link 7 3.3 476 (MUTP-III) 8 Kalyan-Asangaon 4th Line (MUTP-IIIA) 32 1,759 9 Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd& 4th line (MUTP-IIIA) 14 1,510 10 Kalyan-Kasara 3rd Line 67 792 11 Naigaon-Juichandra double chord Line 6 176 12 Nilaje-Kopar double chord Line 5 338 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:- --3/--3- Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.) 2013-14 2022- 2023-24 RE BE (Act.) 23 (Act.) 2024- 2025- (Act.) 25 26 Maintenance of 9,172 18,115 20,322 21,800 23,316 Permanent Way & Works Maintenance of 14,796 27,086 30,864 31,540 30,666 Motive Power and Rolling Stock Maintenance of 5,406 9,828 10,772 12,112 12,880 Machines Road Safety 1,986 5,347 6,662 8,184 7,706 LCs and ROBs/ RUBs Track 4,985 16,326 17,850 22,669 22,800 Renewals Bridge Works 390 1,050 1,907 2,130 2,169 Signal & 905 2,456 3,751 6,006 6,800 Telecom Works Workshops Incl. 1,823 7,119 9,523 9,581 10,134 PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety Total 39,463 87,327 1,01,651 1,14,022 1,16,470 2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,635 stations up to 30.06.2025 to reduce accident due to human failure. 3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,096 level Crossing Gates up to 30.06.2025 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 6,640 --4/--4- stations up to 30.06.2025. 5. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order. Kavach was adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner. Kavach has already been deployed on 1548 RKm on South Central Railway and North Central Railway. Presently, the work is in progress on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 RKm). Kavach has been successfully commissioned over Kota– Mathura section (Delhi – Mumbai route) covering 324 Route Kilometers on 30.07.2025. 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 --5/--5- 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. --6/--6- 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:- --7/--7- 2014-15 to 2004-05 to 2014-25 Vs. S.N. Item 2024-25 2013-14 2004-14 (till March 25) Technological improvements 1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.43 Lakh Km More than 2 rails (60 Kg) (Km) times 2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 77,522 Km Nearly 8 times (260m) (Km) 3. Electronic 837 3,691 Stations More than 4 Interlocking Stations times (Stations) 4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.25: 288 times Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 25,939 90 Nos. 5. Thick Web Switches Nil 28,301 Nos. (Nos.) Better maintenance practices 1. Primary Rail 32,260 Km 49,941 Km 1.5 times Renewal (Track Km) 2. USFD (Ultra Sonic 79.43 Lakh 2 Crore More than 2 Flaw detection) times Testing of Welds (Nos.) 3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 90 % reduction 3699 Nos. 370 Nos. 4. Rail fractures In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than 88% (Nos.) 2548 Nos. 289 Nos. reduction Better infrastructure and Rolling stock 1. New Track KM 14,985 34,428 Km More than 2 added (Track km) Nos. times 2. Flyovers (RoBs)/ 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than 3 Underpasses times (RUBs) (Nos.) --8/--8- 3. Unmanned Level As on As on Removed crossings 31.03.14: 31.03.24: (nos.) on BG 8948 Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) 4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than 18 Coaches (Nos.) times Suburban Services in Mumbai To cater to the needs of the commuters of Mumbai, Indian Railways is operating Suburban services including AC-EMUs. At present, Central Railway operates 1810 services including 80 AC services, while Western Railway operates 1406 services including 109 AC services. On Western Railway, 12 new services have been introduced and to provide additional accommodation, the no. of 15-Car MEMU services have been increased, in a phased manner, from 79 to 211. The introduction of AC local trains equipped with automatic doors in Mumbai has been a welcome initiative to enhance commuters’ safety and reduce incidents related to overcrowding. The automatic doors prevent passengers from hanging on footboards or boarding moving trains which is one of the major causes of falling from running trains. These doors remain closed while the train is in motion and open only at stations when the train is stationary, thereby significantly reducing the risk of falls. Further, to facilitate the passengers of Diva, Indian Railways, since October- 2024 has introduced 14 new suburban services while to cater the needs of --9/--9- Mumbra station, 16 new suburban services have been introduced. Accordingly, at present, Diva is served by 490 services and Mumbra is served by 440 services. Besides, introduction of new train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc. The following steps are also being taken for Commuters safety in Mumbai Suburban Railway network:- 1. Various awareness and sensitization campaigns are conducted by railways using social media, digital & print media. 2. Frequent announcement is made at railway stations using Loud Hailers as well as through Public Announcement systems cautioning passengers against crossing tracks, boarding moving trains and travelling on footboards. 3. Short videos for passenger awareness are also displayed in Rail Display Network at railway station. 4. Flex boards in both Hindi & Marathi languages have been installed at vulnerable locations of trespassing to caution the passengers/public against crossing railway tracks. 5. RPF staff is deployed at vulnerable locations to prevent trespassing and trespassers are prosecuted. 6. Legal action is taken against persons travelling on train rooftops, footboards and other restricted places of the train formation. Improvement of Passenger Amenities at Station / Station Redevelopment Development / Redevelopment / Upgradation / Modernisation of stations on --10/--10- 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. The priority for development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works. To enhance customer experience and provide better amenities, Indian 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. The master planning 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/air concourse commensurate with passenger traffic  Provision of lift/escalators/Ramp  Improvement /Provision of platform surface and cover over platforms  Provision of kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’  Parking areas, Multimodal integration  Amenities for Divyangjans  Better passenger information systems --11/--11-  Provision of executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term. So far, 1337 stations including 132 stations in the state of Maharashtra have been identified for development under this scheme. Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the state of Maharashtra have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, phase-I worksof 15stations (Amgaon, Chanda Fort, Chinchpokli, Devlali, Dhule, Kedgaon, Lasalgaon, Lonand Jn, Matunga, Murtizapur Jn, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Parel, Savda, Shahad, Vadala Road) in the state of Maharashtra have been completed under this scheme. The works at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and progress of some of the stations is as given below:  At Mumbra station, the works of platform flooring of platform no. 4, improvement of seating arrangement of platform no. 3, flooring of Foot Over Bridge, new toilet block, sewage treatment plant, development of circulating area on East side, improvement of ticket booking office and toilet block have been completed. The work of escalators on platform no. 1 has been taken up.  At Diva station, the works of redevelopment of circulating area and parking on East side, improvement to station building on East side, new entry gate , improvement to Foot Over Bridge at East side, --12/--12- construction of new staircase for Foot Over Bridge at East side, platform shelter of platform no. 7/8, platform raising and flooring of platform no. 5/6 and 7/8, new toilet block and sewage treatment plant on West side have been completed. The work new toilet block of platform no. 7/8 and new 6 m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up. Upgradation / development / redevelopment of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers & trains and requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brown field related challenges such as shifting of utilities (involving water/sewage lines, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables, etc.), infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in close proximity of tracks and high voltage power lines, etc. and these factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage. 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 work-wise, or station wise or state-wise. The state of Maharashtra is covered under the jurisdiction of four railway zones, namely Central Railway, South Central Railway, South East Central Railway and Western Railway. For these zones, an allocation of ₹ 3,751 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26, out of which an expenditure (up to July, 2025) of ₹ 1,170 crore has been incurred so far. *****