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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 150
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
SAFETY AT RAILWAY TRACKS
*150. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:
SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of deaths reported on Railway tracks and Railway
unmanned crossings and number of death in train accidents during
the last five years, year and zone-wise;
(b) the number of railway staff including track maintenance workers who
lost their lives during the last five years, zone and year-wise;
(c) whether one of the reasons for these accidents is lack of manpower
as backlog of vacant posts are not being fulfilled and if so, the details
of vacant posts and recruitment done during the last ten years;
(d) the details of the measures taken/being taken by the Government to
enhance track safety for passengers/staffs and towards clearing the
backlog of vacant posts in Railways; and
(e) the details of percentage of the families who received financial
compensation or any pendency thereof since 2020, year and zone-
wise?
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.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
(a) to (e): Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. 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 11 in 2025-26 (upto November, 2025).
The number of consequential train accidents during the last five years is
depicted in the graph below:-
234
165
135
55 48
40
31
35
22
11
Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and casualties
(including railway passengers and railway personnel) therein are as
--2/-
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follows:-
Period No. of Consequential No. of Deaths No. of
Train Accidents Injuries
2004-05 to 2013-14 1,711 904 3,155
2014-15 to 2023-24 678 748 2,087
2024-25 31 18 92
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
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 accident 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
--3/--3-
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
onPalwal-Mathura-Kota- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi-Mumbai
route and on Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 RKm) on Delhi-
Howrah route. Kavach implementation has been 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.
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.
--4/--4-
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.
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.
--5/--5-
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 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.
--6/--6-
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:-
2004-05 to 2014-15 to 2024- 2014-25 Vs.
S.N. Item
2013-14 25 2004-14
Technological Improvements
1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.43 Lakh Km More than
rails 2 times
(60 Kg) (Km)
2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 77,522 Km Nearly 8
(260m) (Km) times
3. Electronic 837 3,691 Stations More than
Interlocking Stations 4 times
(Stations)
4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.25: 288 times
Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 25,939 Nos.
90 Nos.
5. Thick Web Nil 28,301 Nos.
Switches (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 %
3699 Nos. 370 Nos. reduction
4. Rail fractures In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than
(Nos.) 2548 Nos. 289 Nos. 88%
reduction
Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock
1. New Track KM 14,985 34,428 Km More than 2
added (Track Km) Km times
--7/--7-
2. Flyovers (RoBs)/ 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than 3
Underpasses times
(RUBs) (Nos.)
3. Unmanned Level As on As on 31.03.24: Removed
crossings 31.03.14: Nil
(Nos.) on BG 8,948 (All eliminated by
31.01.19)
4. Manufacture of 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than
LHB Coaches 18 times
(Nos.)
Policing is a state subject under the seventh schedule of the Constitution
of India and accordingly, cases of unnatural deaths over Indian Railways
are registered and investigated by the concerned police authorities, such
as the Government Railway Police (GRP) or the district police based on
their jurisdiction. Data on all unnatural deaths on Railway tracks, Railway
unmanned crossings gate and in train accidents is published by National
Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) in Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India
(ADSI).
The following measures are taken by the Railways to prevent/minimise
human deaths in untoward incidents on Railway track:
i. Zonal Railways have constituted ‘Joint Committees’ comprising
officers of Safety, Security, Signal & Engineering departments to study
the causes and suggest specific measures to minimise deaths due to
untoward incidents including trespassing by humans. Accordingly,
preventive and corrective measures are taken to improve and create
infrastructure to minimise casualties.
ii. Regular announcements are made through Passenger Address System
at Railway stations urging passengers to use foot over bridges (FOBs)
and to avoid crossing of railway tracks.
--8/--8-
iii. Various awareness campaigns are organized by Railways to sensitize
passengers about the fatalities of crossing railway tracks, footboard/roof-
top travelling, boarding/de-boarding running trains etc.
iv. Regular drives are conducted against trespassing, travelling on foot-
board, steps, roof top of trains, boarding/de-boarding running trains and
the persons apprehended are prosecuted under the relevant provisions of
the Railways Act, 1989.
v. Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed on locations
vulnerable for trespassing.
vi. Erection of boundary wall/fencing at identified locations, vulnerable to
trespass.
vii. Warning sign boards are provided at conspicuous places for the
awareness of passengers.
viii. Unauthorized trespassing on Railway premises including the Railway
track is a punishable offence under section 147 of the Railways Act and
action against the violators is taken accordingly.
Further, following measures have been taken for the safety and welfare
of track maintenance employees:
i. Track maintainers have been equipped with essential safety gears
while working in hazardous environments. The major safety
equipment like Retro Reflective Safety Jackets (Luminous Vests),
Safety Shoes, Gloves, Safety Helmet with detachable miner's light,
Tricolour Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3 cell Torch, Rain Coat, Winter
Jacket etc. have been provided to them.
ii. In order to enhance efficiency and reduce physical strain of these
employees, Light Weight Tools and equipment like Spanner,
Hammer, Crowbar etc. have been provided. In addition, battery/
--9/--9-
hydraulic operated machines and automated systems have been
devised for light maintenance tasks like extracting/ inserting
fittings, tightening bolts, lubrication of rails joints etc. to minimize
physical fatigue and improve productivity.
iii. Mechanized maintenance of tracks using various types of Track
Machines have been introduced for all types of strenuous jobs such
as tamping, ballast cleaning, lifting & aligning of track as well as
grinding, cutting, drilling of rails etc. to reduce the manual efforts.
Multi utility/ Rail borne vehicles have been provided for track
maintenance to mobile gangs.
iv. To reinforce safety practices, regular counselling and medical
examinations are carried out. Regular training sessions are
conducted to raise awareness about potential hazards. The
"Personal Safety First" programme with proper safety protocols is
conducted through seminars and workshops, where these
employees are trained on ‘How to stay safe while working on or
near the track’.
v. Regular training programs on track safety rules, use of machines/
tools, first-aid etc. are conducted through Zonal Training Centres
(ZTC) with practical and visual training aids for better appreciation.
vi. As regard to welfare measures to employees, they have been
provided Gang Tools cum Rest Room, Gang Huts, Toilet's facilities
at manned level crossing, Water bottle (2 litre, heat insulated),
family accommodation to take care of education and health of
dependents. Further, Risk and Hardship Allowances has been
provided according to nature of duty of the track maintainers.
vii. Flexibility in duty roaster as per climatic conditions and
--10/--10-
requirements are permitted. Recognition and awards for exemplary
performance in safety and maintenance of tracks are done for
encouragement of track maintainers.
viii. VHF based Approaching Train Warning System gives an advance
warning to staff through handheld VHF Receiver device on changing
Advance Starter Signal to Green for coming train in block section.
These devices are being provided to staff working on railway track
of all routes for added safety in addition to normal protection
precautions.
As a result of the above safety measures, there has been reduction in no.
of deaths of railway staff during track maintenance work from 196 in
2013-14 to an average of 67 per year in the last 5 years, which is a
reduction of about 66%.
Recruitment
Occurrence and filling up of vacancies are continuous process on Indian
Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of
operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the
regular operations, changes in technology, mechanizations and
innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement
of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and
technological requirements.
In the Gazetted cadre, recruitments are made annually through UPSC for
the ministry as a whole. Further, as compared to recruitment of 4988
number of officers during 2004-2013, 7,297 number of officers have been
recruited in the Organised Services during 2014-2024.
--11/--11-
Presently recruitment against 1,20,579 vacancies of non-gazetted
personnel has been taken up on Indian Railways as per Annual Calendar
2024 and 2025.
During January to December 2024, ten Centralized Employment
Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies were notified for filling up of
posts of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, Sub-Inspectors,
Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/
Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant
(CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories
(Graduate), Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate),
Ministerial & Isolated Categories and Level-1 categories such as
Assistants, Track Maintainers and Pointsman.
First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 59,678 posts
has been completed. Details are as under:-
Exam Candidates CitiesLanguages
1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP 18,40,347 156 15
(18,799 vacancies)
CBT for the post of Technician 26,99,892 139 15
(14,298 vacancies)
1st Stage CBT for the post of 11,01,266 146 15
JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)
CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 15,35,635 143 15
vacancies)
CBT for the post of RPF-Constable 45,30,288 147 15
(4,208 vacancies)
CBT for Paramedical Categories 7,08,321 143 15
(1,376 vacancies)
1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical 58,41,774 141 15
Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113
vacancies)
--12/--12-
1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical 63,27,473 157 15
Popular Categories (Under Graduate)
(3,445 vacancies)
CBT for Ministerial & Isolated 4,46,013 139 15
categories (1,036 vacancies)
Total Candidates 2,50,31,009
2nd stage CBTs for the posts of ALP, JE/DMS/CMA and Non-Technical
Popular Categories (Graduate) has also been completed. Details are as
under: -
Exam Candidates Cities Languages
2nd Stage CBT for the post of 2,66,363 112 15
ALP
(18,799 vacancies)
2nd Stage CBT for the post of 1,17,339 118 15
JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)
2nd Stage CBT for Non- 1,21,931 129 15
Technical Popular Categories
(Graduate) (8,113 vacancies)
Total candidates 5,05,633
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the post of ALP has also been
completed. Details are as under:-
Exam Candidates Cities Languages
CBAT for the post of ALP 1,32,044 84 2
(18,799 vacancies)
CBT for 32,438 vacancies for level -1 categories has commenced from
27.11.2025 in 140 cities in 15 languages. Physical efficiency Test (PET)
for 4,208 vacancies of Constable (RPF) has commenced from 13.11.2025.
Panels for more than 23,000 candidates for various posts including the
--13/--13-
posts of Technicians, Junior Engineers, Paramedical Categories, Sub-
Inspectors (RPF) and Assistant Loco Pilots have been finalised. Majority
of them are in safety categories.
In addition, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2025, seven Centralized
Employment Notifications (CENs) for 28,463 vacancies have also been
issued. Details are as under:-
S. No. CEN No. Post Name No. of Month of
Vacancies Notification
notified
1 01/2025 Assistant Loco Pilots 9,970 March 2025
2 02/2025 Technicians 6,238 June 2025
3 03/2025 Para-Medical Categories 434 July 2025
4 04/2025 Section Controllers 368 August 2025
5 05/2025 Junior Engineers / Depot 2,585 October 2025
Material Superintendent
6 06/2025 NTPC (Graduate) 5,810 October 2025
7 07/2025 NTPC (Under-Graduate) 3,058 October 2025
The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale
mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway
overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the
recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines.
No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during
the entire process.
Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 vis-
à-vis during 2014-2015 to 2024-2025 is given as under :-
--14/--14-
Period Recruitments*
2004-2005 to 2013-2014 4.11 lakh
2014-2015 to 2024-2025 5.08 lakh
*Including level-1 and Security related posts.
Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced
a system of publishing the annual calendar from 2024 for recruitment to
various categories of Group ‘C’ posts. The introduction of the annual
calendar is benefitting the aspirants in the following manner:
• More opportunities for candidates;
• Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;
• Certainty of exams;
• Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments
Accident victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or
untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to the
next of kin of deceased individuals in train accidents during 01.01.2020
to 30.11.2025 is Rs. 32.72 Crore.
Compensation for death and injury of railway passengers in train
accidents and untoward incidents, as defined under Section 124 and
Section 124-A (read with Section 123) of the Railways Act, 1989, is
decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim
application filed by the victims/their dependents before RCT and it
disposes of the cases after following the due judicial process. Railway
Administration pays compensation when a decree is awarded by Hon’ble
RCT in favour of the claimant and Railways decide to implement the
decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount.
--15/--15-
Total amount of compensation paid by the Railways to the next of kin of
the deceased individuals in train accidents during 01.01.2020 to
30.11.2025 is Rs. 24.29 Crore.
Ex-gratia compensation is a financial assistance (Rs.25 lakhs w.e.f.
01.01.2016) paid by the Railways to the family/dependants of an
employee in the event of death due to accidents while performing official
duty etc.
Expeditious disbursement of ex gratia amount depends on several
factors such as timely submission of required documents (viz. legal heir
certificate), family disputes/rival claims, verification of the cause of
deathetc. During last 5 years, in about 98% cases, ex-gratia
compensation has already been paid by the respective Zonal Railways.
*****