Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian Railway's response to a parliamentary question regarding a railway track breakage at Majri Junction. It details the safety measures and maintenance procedures in place to prevent accidents, including increased expenditure on safety-related activities, technological improvements, and enhanced infrastructure. The document highlights a reduction in consequential train accidents and emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure passenger safety through regular inspections and strengthened technical maintenance.
Key Points / Main Content:
Track Maintenance and Safety Procedures:
* Indian Railways prioritizes track inspection and maintenance, following a well-defined system stipulated in 22 manuals.
* Scheduled inspections led to the discovery of a crack at Majri yard on 30.06.2025, prompting corrective action and regulation of train no. 12512.
* Various safety measures have contributed to a significant decline in train accidents, from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25.
Safety Enhancements:
* Increased expenditure on safety-related activities, including maintenance of permanent way works, motive power, rolling stock, machines, road safety, track renewals, bridge works, signal, telecom works, and workshops.
* Implementation of Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems at 6,635 stations (up to 30.06.2025) to reduce human error-related accidents.
* Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,096 level Crossing Gates (up to 30.06.2025)
* Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6,640 stations (up to 30.06.2025).
* Progressive deployment of Kavach, a National ATP system, with successful commissioning over Kota Mathura section Delhi Mumbai route covering 324 Route Kilometers on 30.07.2025.
* Equipping locomotives with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) and providing GPS-based Fog Safety Devices (FSD) in fog-affected areas.
* Use of modern track structure, mechanization of track laying, and maximizing the supply of long rail panels.
* Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails and adoption of better welding technology.
* Monitoring of track geometry by OMS and TRC, and patrolling of railway tracks.
Other Safety Measures:
* Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons)
* Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches
* Elimination of all unmanned level crossings UMLCs on Broad Gauge BG route by January 2019.
* Regular bridge inspections, implementation of fire safety measures in coaches, and regular staff counseling and training.
* Introduction of the Rolling Block concept for integrated maintenance and repair.
Technological Improvements and Infrastructure Upgrades:
* Increased use of high-quality rails and longer rail panels.
* Deployment of electronic interlocking systems and fog pass safety devices.
* Addition of new track kilometers, flyovers/ROBs/RUBs, and elimination of unmanned level crossings.
* Increased manufacture of LHB coaches.
Impact Analysis:
Railway Staff:
* Impact: Increased emphasis on following stipulated maintenance procedures, conducting regular inspections, and adhering to safety protocols.
* Action Required: Comply with updated safety guidelines, participate in training programs, and ensure diligent execution of maintenance tasks.
Passengers:
* Impact: Enhanced safety due to improved track maintenance, technological upgrades, and reduced risk of accidents.
* Action Required: Be aware of fire safety measures in coaches, avoid carrying inflammable materials, and refrain from smoking inside coaches.
Railway Administration:
* Impact: Responsibility for implementing and monitoring safety measures, allocating resources for maintenance and upgrades, and ensuring compliance with established procedures.
* Action Required: Continue investing in safety-related activities, prioritize track maintenance, and ensure effective implementation of new technologies and safety protocols.
Key Entities Referenced
Majri Junction Chandrapur Mahrashtra: Location of a railway track breakage incident in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.
Raptisagar Express Train No.12512: A passenger train whose derailment was potentially averted due to timely reporting of a track breakage.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Indian Railways: The national railway company of India, responsible for railway operations and maintenance.
Kavach: An automatic train protection (ATP) system adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020 to enhance railway safety.
South Central Railway: A zone of Indian Railways where Kavach has been deployed on 1,548 RKm.
North Central Railway: A zone of Indian Railways where Kavach has been deployed on 1,548 RKm.
LHB design coaches: Modern passenger coaches being used to replace conventional ICF design coaches for enhanced safety.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2829
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
RAILWAY TRACK BREAKAGE AT MAJRI JUNCTION
†2829. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether timely reporting of an incident of a railway track breakage
occurred at Majri Junction (Chandrapur Mahrashtra) under Chandrapur Lok
Sabha constituency saved derailment of Raptisagar Express (Train
No.12512);
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the immediate action taken by the
Railway Administration thereon;
(c) whether the track breakage was caused by negligence of railway
staff or due to the maintenance related issues or some technical reasons;
(d) if so, the action taken against these responsible for the same;
(e) the procedure followed for railway track maintenance in the Country
at present and the future plans likely to be formulated to prevent such
incidents; and
(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure
the safety of passenger by conducting regular inspections of railway tracks
and strengthening technical maintenance further?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) Inspection and maintenance of track are accorded utmost priority
in Indian Railways. A well-defined system is stipulated in Indian Railways’
--2/--2-
manuals, wherein schedules for inspection by various authorities and
maintenance procedures are clearly prescribed.
During one of such scheduled inspections, a crack in the rail was noticed
at Majri yard on 30.06.2025. Following the prescribed maintenance
procedure, corrective action was taken by availing a traffic block, for
which train no. 12512 (Raptisagar express) was regulated as per extant
working rules.
Various safety measures have been taken over the years on Indian
Railways. As a consequence, there has been a steep decline in the number
of accidents. Consequential Train Accidents, which include collisions and
derailments also, 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) as depicted in the Graph
below:-
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
Covid year Covid year Jun'25)
--3/-
stnediccA
niarT
laitneuqesnoC
fo
.oN-3-
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 on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)
2013-14 2022-23 2023-24 RE 2024-25 BE 2025-26
(Act.) (Act.) (Act.)
Maintenance 9,172 18,115 20,322 21,800 23,316
of Permanent
Way & Works
Maintenance 14,796 27,086 30,864 31,540 30,666
of Motive
Power and
Rolling Stock
Maintenance 5,406 9,828 10,772 12,112 12,880
of 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 1,823 7,119 9,523 9,581 10,134
Incl. 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.
--4/--4-
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 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 1,548 RKm on South
Central Railway and North Central Railway. Presently, the work is in
progress on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately
3,000 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.
--5/--5-
11. Modern track structure consisting of 60 kg, 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. Mechanization of track laying activity through use of track machines
like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.
13. Maximizing supply of 130 m/260 m 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.
--6/--6-
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.
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 counseling 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.
--7/--7-
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:-
2014-15 to 2024-
2004-05 to 2014-25 Vs.
S.N. Item 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 (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than 88%
2548 Nos. 289 Nos. reduction
Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock
1. New Track KM 14,985 Km 34,428 Km More than 2
added (Track km) times
2. Flyovers(RoBs)/ 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than 3
Underpasses (RUBs) times
(Nos.)
3. Unmanned Level As on As on 31.03.24: Removed
crossings 31.03.14: Nil
(nos.) on BG 8948 (All eliminated by
31.01.19)
4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than 18
Coaches (Nos.) times
*****