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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 250
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026
OPERATION OF TRAINS IN SOUTH EAST CENTRAL RAILWAY ZONE
†*250. SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of local and long-distance passenger trains passing
through the South East Central Railway zone particularly Bilaspur and
Raipur divisions that have been cancelled/diverted their routes during the
last one year;
(b) whether daily commuters are facing lot of inconvenience due to priority
given to coal transportation through goods trains, track expansion and
technical maintenance work on the said route and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether the Government has made any assessment of the
problem/inconvenience being faced by the common passenger and
workers in travelling due to the frequent cancellation of trains and if so,
the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to ensure
the smooth, timely operation of passenger trains and to review the
situations leading to sudden cancellation of these trains in the said zone?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****
§STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED
QUESTION NO.250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 IN LOK SABHA
(a) to (d) Presently, Indian Railways (IR) operates both freight and passenger
trains over a common railway infrastructure. Therefore sometimes, train
operations are regulated due to following reasons:
Maintenance of railway assets: To carry out maintenance of railway tracks
and other assets to ensure asset reliability, which is of paramount
importance for the safe operation of trains.
Infrastructure and capacity augmentation works: To execute infrastructure
development and capacity enhancement works aimed at easing route
congestion and increasing line capacity.
Details of the recently completed projects and the on-going projects in
South East Central Railway are as under:-
Recently Completed Projects:
SN. Name of Project Cost (₹ in Cr.)
1 Kharsia-Korichhapar New Line (43 Km) 851
2 Bilaspur-Urkura 3rd line (110 Km) 365
3 Salka Road-Khongsara doubling (26 Km) 181
4 Durg-Rajnandgaon Doubling (31 Km) 250
5 Khodri-Anuppur Doubling with flyover at 792
Bilaspur (72 Km)
6 Champa-Jharsuguda 3rd Line (152 Km) 1,227
7 Pendra Road – Annupur 3rd Line (50 Km) 394
8 Raipur - Titlagarh Doubling (203 Km) 1,171
9 Dallirajahra-Rowghat (95 Km) 1,628
Page 1 of 9On-going projects:
SN Name of Project Cost
(₹ in Cr.)
1 Kharsia-Dharamjaygarh New Line (122 Km) 3,407
2 Gevra Road-Pendra Road New Line (135 Km) 3,724
3 Dharamjaigarh-Korba New Line (63 Km) 1,686
4 Chirimiri-Nagpur Halt New Line (17 Km) 670
5 Sardega-Bhalumunda New Line (37 Km) 1,282
6 Kharsia - Parmalkasa New Double Line (278 Km) 7,854
7 Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Line (140 Km) 3,513
8 Kirandul-Jadgalpur Doubling (150 km) 1,780
9 Jagdalpur-Koraput Doubling (107 Km) 1,547
10 Jharsuguda-Bilaspur 4th line (206 Km) 2,596
11 Gevra Rd-Pendra Rd Doubling (135 Km) 3,475
12 Rajnandgaon-Nagpur 3rd line (228 Km) 3,545
13 Boridand- Ambikapur Doubling (80 Km) 1,577
14 Durg-Rajnandgaon 4th line (31 Km) 464
15 Gondia-Dongargarh 4th line (84 Km) 2,223
16 Baikunth- Urkura 4th line (26 Km) 426
17 Champa-Korba 3rd Line (42 Km) 755
Passenger trains operate according to a scheduled timetable. Despite the
operational constraints, including those mentioned above, Indian Railways
makes every effort to operate trains as per their schedule and maintain
punctuality. Efforts are also made to minimise the impact of train regulation
on passengers by disseminating timely information well in advance, thereby
reducing inconvenience to the travelling public.
Despite above constraints, during 2025-26, approximately 95% of scheduled
trains (Mail/Express and Passenger trains) were operated in Bilaspur
Page 2 of 9division which includes 96 % scheduled trains on their designated routes
over the Bilaspur Division. Similarly, over 98% of scheduled trains were
operated in Raipur division which includes 97% scheduled trains on
designated routes ran over the Raipur Division.
Steps taken to improve punctuality on Indian Railways:
Punctuality is accorded high priority on Indian Railways (IR) and all possible
efforts are made to run trains on time. However, on Indian Railways, several
factors affect punctuality which include foggy weather, path
constraints/congestion, asset maintenance and other issues, alarm chain
pulling, agitations, cattle run over and other unforeseen circumstances.
The steps taken to improve punctuality of train services include:
● Regular, continuous and real-time monitoring of punctuality of trains using
technological tools and IT systems.
● Use of 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 about 50,000 LHB coaches have been turned out since 2014.
Page 3 of 9IR has also been proliferating Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and
Amrit Bharat trains, for 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:
(i) 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 31.05.2026, there are 33,624 Fog Safe devices
available over Indian Railways.
(ii) 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
Page 4 of 9prescribed training syllabus for Loco Pilots (LPs) and Assistant Loco
Pilots (ALPs).
● Modernisation of Signalling infrastructure: Indian Railways is modernising
the signalling infrastructure for enhanced reliability & safety. It is using
reliable digital technology by provision of electronic interlocking systems
with adequate redundancy (in power supply & transmission media), dual
detection systems for train vehicle verification and replacement of
electromechanical installations. Several improvement measures have
been taken such as:
a) Provision of Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with
centralized operation of points and signals in place of old
mechanical signalling. It has been provided at 6671 stations as on
30.06.2026, out of which Electronic Interlocking have been
provided at 3954 stations.
b) Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety for
verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been
provided at 6671 stations upto 30.06.2026.
c) Axle counters for automatic clearance of Block Section, BPAC
(Block Proving Axle Counter) are provided to ensure complete
arrival of train without manual intervention before granting line
clear to receive next train and to reduce human element. These
systems have been provided on 6085 Block Sections up to
30.06.2026.
d) Signalling assets maintenance are planned & under taken during
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
in advance on rolling basis and executed.
Page 5 of 9● Capacity enhancement and Infrastructure augmentation
Capacity enhancement of railway network has been taken up by
Indian Railways in a big way during the last 12 years. The details of
commissioning/laying of new track across Indian Railways are given
below:-
Period New track Average commissioning of new
Commissioned tracks
2009-14 7,599 Km 4.2 Km/day
2014-26 36,429 Km 8.32 Km/day (nearly 2 times)
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
Projects Length Commissioned Expenditure
NL/GC/DL till Mar'26 (Km) upto Mar'26
(km) (Rs. in Crore)
New 169 16,634 3,361 1,57,572
lines
Gauge 29 3987 3,045 24,227
conversi
on
Doubling 316 19,379 6,177 1,23,454
TOTAL 514 40,000 12,583 3,05,253
Chhattisgarh
Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly. Budget
allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling
fully/partly in the State of Chhattisgarh is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-2014 ₹311 Cr./year
2026-2027 ₹7,470 Cr. (approx. 24 times)
Page 6 of 9Track Construction:
The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly in
the State of Chhattisgarh is as under:
Period New Track Average Commissioning of
Commissioned new tracks
2009-14 32 Km 6.4 Km per year
2014-26 1,311 Km 109.29 Km per year (17
times)
Projects Sanctioned:
As on 01.04.2026, 36 projects (8 New Lines and 28 Doubling), of total
length of 2,398 Km, costing ₹48,202 crore falling fully/partly in the State
of Chhattisgarh are Sanctioned. The summary is as under:-
Category No. of Total Length Total Exp upto
projects Length Commissioned till March 2026
(in km) March, 2026 (in (₹ in cr.)
Km)
NL 8 887 262 7,535
DL 28 1,512 889 11,298
TOTAL 36 2,398 1,151 18,833
Improving of speed potential:
Strengthening, upgradation, modernisation and improvement of track
infrastructure is a continuous and ongoing process over Indian Railways.
The following measures are being taken by Indian Railways, including
SECR, to upgrade railway tracks:
i. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile
Strength (UTS) rails, Wider and heavier Pre-stressed Concrete
Sleepers (PSC) with elastic fastening, fan-shaped layout turnout on
Page 7 of 9PSC sleepers and H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges are being
used while carrying out primary track renewals.
ii. The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being
used in turnout renewal works.
iii. Supply of 260m long rail panels have been increased to avoid
welding of joints, thereby improving safety and riding quality.
iv. Thick Web Switch Expansion Joints are being used in place of earlier
Conventional/Improved SEJs.
v. Adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt
Welding.
vi. Adoption of mechanized system for track maintenance using high
output plain tampers and points & crossing tampers for improved
maintainability & reliability of track.
vii. Deployment of state-of-the-art modern machines including Rail
Grinding Machines to further improve asset reliability.
viii. Mechanisation of track laying activities through use of track
machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc.
ix. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates for enhancing safety at LC
gates.
x. Use of advanced Phased Array technology of testing of rail and
welds.
xi. Deployment of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS) and
Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) for comprehensive health
assessment to ascertain optimal maintenance requirements.
xii. Adoption of portable Track Measuring Trolley for continuous
recording of track parameters in yards.
xiii. Using web enabled Track Management System (TMS) for integration
and data analytics of the track inspection records received through
various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs.
Page 8 of 9As a result of the above measures, there has been significant increase
in speed potential of the tracks. The details of speed potential of
railway tracks of SECR during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under:
Sectional 2014 2026
Speed Track Km % Track Km %
(kmph)
130 & above Nil 0 1,594 35.3
110 - 130 1,690 59.3 2,348 52.0
< 110 1,160 40.7 574 12.7
Total 2,850 100 4,516 100
It may be seen that about 88% of tracks in SECR have been upgraded
to 110 kmph and above.
Due to above initiatives, Indian railways, during 2025-26 recorded an
overall punctuality of more than 77%.
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Page 9 of 9