Parliament Question: Programmes to improve Connectivity/Logistics/Passenger Safety

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2960 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025 PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY/ LOGISTICS/ PASSENGER SAFETY 2960. SHRI MANI A: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is prioritising semi-high-speed, freight and safety corridor proposals under national railway development programmes to improve connectivity, logistics efficiency and passenger safety across the country including the State of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of corridors proposed or under implementation that directly or indirectly benefit the districts of Dharmapuri including their alignment, estimated cost and current status; (c) whether feasibility studies/surveys have been conducted to identify potential routes for semi-high-speed/freight corridors in these districts and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of the measures being taken to enhance railway safety, modern signalling systems and track upgradation in the said districts; and (e) the timeline fixed for completion of ongoing and proposed corridor projects in Tamil Nadu? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (e): Dharmapuri is an existing station on Indian Railway Network. To further improve connectivity in Dharmapuri, the ..P/2-:2:- following works/surveys have been completed/taken up: SN Project Cost Status Salem-Magnesite Junction- Project 1 ₹115 Cr. Omalur doubling (11 km) Completed Morappur-Dharmapuri new line Land acquisition 2 ₹359 Cr. (36 km) in process Hosur-Omalur doubling (147 3 ₹1,948 Cr. DPR prepared km) To improve the capacity, expansion of rail network has been taken up in a big way. 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 2014-25 34,428 Km 8.57 Km/day (more than 2 times) Further, as on 01.04.2025, across Indian Railways, 431 Railway infrastructure projects (154 New Line, 33 Gauge Conversion and 244 Doubling) of total length 35,966 Km, costing approx. Rs. 6.75 lakh crore are sanctioned. The summary is as under:- ..P/3-:3:- Total Length Total Exp upto No of Length Commissioned Category Mar'25 Projects NL/GC/DL till Mar'25 (Rs. in Cr) (km) (Km) New Lines 154 16,142 3,036 1,45,318 Gauge 33 4,180 2,997 22,753 Conversion Doubling / 244 15,644 6,736 1,22,858 Multitracking Total 431 35,966 12,769 2,90,929 Railway projects are surveyed/sanctioned/executed Zonal Railway wise and not State-wise/District wise as the Railway projects may span across State/district boundaries. Zone-wise/year-wise details of all Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s website. Also, during last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and the current financial year 2025-26, 952 no. Surveys (284 New line, 13 Gauge Conversion and 655 Doubling) of total length 64,891 Km have been sanctioned across Indian Railways. To facilitate construction and connectivity of new cargo terminals on Indian Railways network, which will bring additional cargo business to Railways, Gati-Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy was introduced in December' 2021. ..P/4-:4:- So far, 120 GCTs locations have been commissioned and further 133 more locations are under various stages of construction over Indian Railways. Out of these, 4 GCTs have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu and 3 more GCTs have been taken up in Tamil Nadu. Safety Measures:- 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 (Till date) 11 (90% lesser) Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accidents Index, the details of which are as under:- Consequential Accident Index:- Year Accident Index 2014-15 0.11 2024-25 0.03 (73% lesser) ..P/5-:5:- This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running Kilometers of all trains. Index = 234 165 135 55 31 11 2005-06 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2025-26 (up to Nov'25 ) Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. 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 (Act.) (Act.) (Act.) 39,463 87,327 1,01,651 1,14,022 1,16,470 ..P/6 stnediccA niarT laitneuqesnoC fo .oN No. of consequential accident No. of trains X million kilometers-:6:- 2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,656 stations up to 31.10.2025 to reduce accidents due to human failure. 3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,098 Level Crossing Gates up to 31.10.2025 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 6,661 stations up to 31.10.2025. 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. Initially, Kavach Version 3.2 was deployed on 1465 RKm of South Central Railway and 80 RKm of North Central Railway. Kavach specification Version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0has been successfully commissioned on Palwal-Mathura-Kota- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi – Mumbai route and on Howrah- Bardhaman section (105 RKm)on Delhi-Howrah route. Kavach implementation has ben taken up in balance sections of Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah route. Further, Kavach implementation has been taken up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. ..P/7-:7:- 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. ..P/8-:8:- 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. ..P/9-:9:- 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:- ..P/10-:10:- 2004-05 to 2014-15 to 2014-25 Vs. SN Item 2013-14 2024-25 2004-14 Technological Improvements Use of high-quality More than 2 1. rails 57,450 Km 1.43 Lakh Km times (60 Kg) (Km) Longer Rail Panels Nearly 8 2. 9,917 Km 77,522 Km (260m) (Km) times Electronic 837 3,691 More than 4 3. Interlocking Stations Stations times (Stations) As on As on Fog Pass Safety 4. 31.03.14: 31.03.25: 288 times Devices (Nos.) 90 Nos. 25,939 Nos. Thick Web 5. Nil 28,301 Nos. Switches (Nos.) Better Maintenance Practices Primary Rail 1. Renewal (Track 32,260 Km 49,941 Km 1.5 times Km) USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) More than 2 2. 79.43 Lakh 2 Crore Testing of Welds times (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 90 % 3. Weld failures (Nos.) 3699 Nos. 370 Nos. reduction More than In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 4. Rail fractures (Nos.) 88% 2548 Nos. 289 Nos. reduction ..P/11-:11:- Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock New Track KM More than 2 1. 14,985 Km 34,428 Km added (Track Km) times Flyovers More than 3 2. (RoBs)/Underpasses 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. times (RUBs) (Nos.) As on Unmanned Level As on 31.03.24:Nil 3. crossings 31.03.14: (All Removed (Nos.) on BG 8,948 eliminated by 31.01.19) Manufacture of LHB More than 4. 2,337 Nos. 42,677 Coaches (Nos.) 18 times Tamil Nadu Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly. Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under: Period Outlay 2009-14 ₹879 crore/year 2025-26 ₹ 6,626 crore (more than 7.5 times) As on 01.04.2025, 15 projects (9 new line, 03 gauge conversion and 03 doubling) of 1,700 km length, costing ₹22,808 Crore, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu, are sanctioned. The summary is as under:- ..P/12-:12:- Length Expenditure No. of Total Commissioned upto Mar’ Category sanctioned Length upto Mar’25 25 projects (in km) (in km) (₹ in Cr.) New Line 9 812 24 1,337 Gauge Conversion 3 748 604 3,471 Doubling 3 140 37 2,783 /Multitracking Total 15 1,700 665 7,591 Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in Tamil Nadu are as under : Cost SN Project (₹in Crores) 1 Dindigal-Palani-Pollachi gauge conversion (121 610 km) 2 Pollachi-Palghat gauge conversion (56 km) 350 3 Pollachi-Podhanur gauge conversion (40 km) 400 4 Quilon-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur gauge conversion 1,122 (357 km) 5 Mayiladuturai-Thiruvarur-Karaikkudi gauge 1,338 conversion (187 km) 6 Madurai-Bodiyakannur gauge conversion (90 km) 593 7 Chengalpattu-Villupuram doubling (102 km) 670 8 Tiruvallur-Arakkonam 4th line (27 km) 83 ..P/13-:13:- Cost SN Project (₹in Crores) 9 Chennai Central-Basin Bridge doubling (2 km) 31 10 Thanjavur-Ponmalai doubling (48 km) 370 11 Villupuram-Dindigul doubling (273 km) 2,000 12 Chennai Beach-Korukkupet 3rd line (5 km) 168 13 Chennai Beach-Attipattu 4th line (22 km) 293 14 Omalur-Metturdam Patch doubling (29 km) 327 15 Chengalpattu-Villupuram and Tambaram- 1,122 Chengalpattu-3rd line (133 km) 16 Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur doubling (11 115 km) 17 Madurai- Maniyachi-Tuticorin doubling (160 km) 1,891 18 Maniyachi-Nagercoil doubling (102 km) 1,752 19 Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore doubling (4 km) 272 20 Karaikal-Peralam new line (23 km) 373 21 Northern End Port connectivity to Karaikal Port (1 18 km) Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu which have been taken up are as under: Cost S.N Project (₹ in Crores) 1 Tindivanam-Nagari new line (184 km) 3,631 2 Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km) 359 3 Nagapattinam-Tiruturaipundi new line (43 km) 742 4 Trivandrum-Kanyakumari doubling (87 km) 3,785 5 Arakkonam yard 3rd & 4th line (6 km) 98 In last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial year 2025-26, 28 surveys (05 new line and 23 doubling) covering a total length of 2,493 km has been sanctioned falling ..P/14-:14:- fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu including a survey for Chennai- Bengaluru (350 km) having speed potential upto 220 kmph. Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu are held up due to delay in land acquisition. Status of land acquisition in Tamil Nadu is as under: Total Land required for Projects in Tamil 4,326 ha Nadu Land Acquired 1,052 ha (24%) Balance Land to be acquired 3,274 ha (76%) Support of the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite the land acquisition. Details of some major projects which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:- Total Balance Land land Land to be SN Name of the project acquired required acquired (in ha) (in ha) (in ha) Tindivanam- 1. Tiruvannamalai new line 276 33 243 (71 km) Attiputtu-Puttur new line 2. 189 0 189 (88 km) Morappur-Dharmapuri new 3. 92 45 47 line (36 km) Mannargudi-Pattukkottai 4. 196 0 196 new line (41 km) ..P/15-:15:- Total Balance Land land Land to be SN Name of the project acquired required acquired (in ha) (in ha) (in ha) Thanjavur-Pattukottai new 5. 152 0 152 line (52 km) Further, Rameshwaram – Dhanushkodi new line (18 km) was sanctioned at a cost of ₹734 Cr. The Foundation Stone of the project was laid on 01.03.2019. However, the project could not be started because the land acquisition has not been undertaken by the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success depends upon the support of Government of Tamil Nadu. Sanction of any railway project depend upon many parameters/factors which include the following:  Anticipated traffic projections and remunerativeness of the proposed route  First and last mile connectivity provided by the project  Connection of missing links and providing additional route  Augmentation of congested/saturated lines  Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public representatives  Railway’s operational requirements  Socio-economic considerations  Overall availability of funds *****