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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2901
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026
PUNCTUALITY OF TRAINS
2901. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:
SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that delays in Premium Trains Mail,
Express, Superfast and Passenger trains have increased in recent years
causing hardship to passengers, missed connecting trains, financial
losses and disruption to work, education and medical travel and if so,
the details thereof including the average delays of these premium
trains run late during the last three years (2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-
26), train and route-wise;
(b) whether the Government has analysed the reasons for such delays,
including congestion on high-density routes, maintenance works,
signalling failures, shortage of locomotives and crew, adverse weather
conditions and operational bottlenecks and if so, the details thereof
including the alternative arrangements/compensation provided to the
passengers;
(c) the details of train punctuality and the number of trains delayed by
more than 30 minutes during the last five years, zone-wise;
(d) the steps taken to augment line capacity, modernise signalling systems,
improve time- table planning, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and
reduce delays;
(e) whether the Government has fixed any time-bound targets to improve
punctuality and the details of funds allocated, achievements made and
future action proposed to ensure timely railway services; and
(f) whether the Government has taken any steps to improve the quality of
catering in view of hundreds of complaints received regarding the
substandard level of catering services in the above-mentioned trains
and if so, the details thereof including the concrete steps Government
proposes to take in the future to ensure punctuality of premium trains
§ Page 1 of 9and to make catering services world-class and if not, the reasons
therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) 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, asset maintenance and other issues, alarm chain pulling,
agitations, cattle run over and other unforeseen circumstances.
The average punctuality of trains on Indian Railways during 2023-24, 2024-
25 and 2025-26 is as under:
Year Mail/Express
2023-24 73.62%
2024-25 77.12%
2025-26 77.43%
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.
Page 2 of 9● 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. IR 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.
Page 3 of 9(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
prescribed 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
Page 4 of 9systems 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.
● Capacity enhancement: 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 Length Total Expenditure
Projects NL/GC/DL Commissioned upto Mar'26
(km) till Mar'26 (Km) (Rs. in Crore)
New lines 169 16,634 3,361 1,57,572
Gauge 29 3987 3,045 24,227
conversion
Doubling 316 19,379 6,177 1,23,454
TOTAL 514 40,000 12,583 3,05,253
Page 5 of 9● Track Infrastructure:
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 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
PSC 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.
Page 6 of 9XI. 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.
As 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 during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under:
2014 2026
Sectional Speed
(kmph)
Track Km % Track Km %
130 & above 5,036 6.3 24,173 22.5
110 - 130 26,409 33.3 62,482 58.1
< 110 47,897 60.4 20,897 19.4
Total 79,342 100 1,07,552 100
Results/Outcomes:
Due to these initiatives, Indian railways, during 2025-26 recorded an overall
punctuality of more than 77%.
No. of Zones Punctuality percentage
3 Punctuality of more than 90%
09 Punctuality between 75% and 90%
All Zones of Indian Railways 77%
Catering services:
Indian Railways serve nearly 58 cr meals every year on average. About
only 0.0008% complaints are received on average. Based on inquiry on
Page 7 of 9these complaints during the last three years, a fine of ₹ 5.13 cr has been
imposed.
It is the continuous endeavour of Indian Railways (IR) to provide good
quality and hygienic food to travelling passengers. In order to take
passenger feedback, the complaint management system over Indian
Railways has been strengthened, simplified and made more accessible over
the last few years through the introduction of RailMadad Portal. With the
launch of RailMadad Portal, Indian Railways provided passengers a single
window system to register complaints and suggestions. Necessary steps
are accordingly taken by Indian Railways from time to time to improve
quality of food and services to passengers. The following measures have
been taken to improve quality, hygiene, and food safety:
● Supply of meals from designated Base Kitchens.
● Commissioning of modern Base Kitchens at identified locations.
● Installation of CCTV Cameras in Base Kitchens for better monitoring
of food preparation.
● Shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials, like
cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala items, paneer, dairy products
etc. for food production.
● Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at Base Kitchens to monitor
food safety and hygienic practices.
● Deployment of on-board IRCTC supervisors on trains.
● Introduction of QR codes on food packets, enabling display of details
like name of kitchen, date of packaging etc.
● Regular deep cleaning and periodical pest control in Base Kitchens
and Pantry Cars.
● In order to ensure compliance with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated
Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory.
Page 8 of 9● Regular food sampling as a part of the inspection and monitoring
mechanism to ensure quality of food on trains.
● Third Party Audit is done to examine hygiene and quality of food in
Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens. Customer satisfaction survey is also
conducted.
● Regular and surprise inspections by Railway/ IRCTC officials,
including Food Safety Officers.
● Regular training is conducted by IRCTC to enhance the skills of
catering staff, focusing on customer service areas, i.e.,
communication, courteous behaviour, service standards, personal
grooming, and hygiene.
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