Executive Summary:
This document, a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4528, outlines the Indian Railways' commitment to safety and details the increased allocation of funds for railway safety infrastructure over the last five years. It highlights the reduction in train accidents and improvements in safety metrics due to various safety measures and technological upgrades. The information is current up to June 2025, with specific data points until July 30, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Funding and Expenditure:
* Expenditure on safety-related activities has increased from ₹39,463 Cr in 2013-14 to ₹1,16,470 Cr in 2024-25 (BE).
* Significant investments have been made in the maintenance of permanent ways, motive power, rolling stock, level crossing safety, track renewals, bridge works, and signal & telecom works.
Safety Measures and Technological Upgrades:
* Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems are implemented at 6,635 stations (up to 30.06.2025).
* Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates provided at 11,096 locations (up to 30.06.2025).
* Complete Track Circuiting provided at 6,640 stations (up to 30.06.2025).
* Kavach, the National ATP system, is deployed on 1548 RKm and commissioned over 324 Route Kilometers on the Delhi-Mumbai route (as of 30.07.2025). Work is in progress on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.
* All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD).
* GPS based Fog Safety Devices (FSD) are provided to loco pilots in fog-affected areas.
* Modern track structure and mechanization of track laying activities are being implemented.
* Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails is conducted for timely removal of defective rails.
Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Improvements:
* Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches.
* All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) routes have been eliminated by January 2019.
* Fire safety measures, including fire detection and suppression systems, are being implemented in coaches.
Improved Safety Statistics:
* Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 3 in 2025-26 (up to June 2025).
* Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25.
Impact Analysis:
Railway Administration:
* Impact: Required to manage increased funds effectively, implement new technologies, maintain infrastructure, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
* Action Required: Plan, execute, and monitor safety-related projects, conduct regular inspections, train staff, and ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
Loco Pilots and Train Crew:
* Impact: Benefit from improved safety measures and technologies, requiring adaptation to new systems and adherence to safety protocols.
* Action Required: Utilize new safety devices like FSD and VCD, undergo training on new technologies, and adhere to updated safety protocols.
Passengers:
* Impact: Experience safer travel due to reduced accidents, improved infrastructure, and enhanced safety measures in coaches.
* Action Required: Be aware of fire safety guidelines, cooperate with railway staff, and report any safety concerns.
Maintenance Staff:
* Impact: Responsible for maintaining upgraded infrastructure, rolling stock, and safety systems.
* Action Required: Conduct regular inspections, perform preventive maintenance, and repair or replace defective components. They should also adopt better welding technologies for rails and monitor track geometry.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for railway operations and infrastructure.
Ministry of Railways: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for all matters relating to railways.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Kavach: An indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020, designed to enhance railway safety.
South Central Railway: One of the 18 railway zones in India.
North Central Railway: One of the 18 railway zones in India.
LHB design coaches: A type of passenger coach used in Indian Railways, known for improved safety and comfort features compared to conventional ICF design coaches.
Delhi-Mumbai: A major railway corridor in India, currently undergoing Kavach implementation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4528
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURES IN RAILWAYS
4528. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether there been any increase in allocation of funds for railway
safety infrastructure, including track maintenance, signaling systems
and modernisation of coaches in the Country during the last five
years; and
(b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) & (b): 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.
Page 1 of 7It 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, 2025).
Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is
Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has reduced from
0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25, indicating an improvement of approx.
73% during the said period.
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)
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- BE 2025-
(Act.) (Act.) (Act.) 25 26
Maintenance of 9,172 18,115 20,322 21,800 23,316
Permanent Way &
Page 2 of 7
stnediccA
niarT
laitneuqesnoC
fo
.oNWorks
Maintenance of 14,796 27,086 30,864 31,540 30,666
Motive Power and
Rolling Stock
Maintenance of 5,406 9,828 10,772 12,112 12,880
Machines
Road Safety LCs 1,986 5,347 6,662 8,184 7,706
and ROBs/ RUBs
Track Renewals 4,985 16,326 17,850 22,669 22,800
Bridge Works 390 1,050 1,907 2,130 2,169
Signal & Telecom 905 2,456 3,751 6,006 6,800
Works
Workshops Incl. PUs 1,823 7,119 9,523 9,581 10,134
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.
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 1548 RKm on South
Central Railway and North Central Railway. Presently, the work is in
progress on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately
Page 3 of 73000 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.
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.
Page 4 of 714. 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.
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.
Page 5 of 726. 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:-
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 times
(60 Kg) (Km)
2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 77,522 Km Nearly 8
(260m) (Km) times
3. Electronic Interlocking 837 3,691 Stations More than 4
(Stations) Stations times
Page 6 of 74. 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 Switches Nil 28,301 Nos.
(Nos.)
Better Maintenance Practices
1. Primary Rail Renewal 32,260 Km 49,941 Km 1.5 times
(Track Km)
2. USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw 79.43 Lakh 2 Crore More than 2
detection) Testing of times
Welds (Nos.)
3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 90 %
3699 Nos. 370 Nos. reduction
4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than
2548 Nos. 289 Nos. 88% reduction
Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock
1. New Track KM added 14,985 Km 34,428 Km More than 2
(Track Km) times
2. Flyovers (RoBs)/ 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than 3
times
Underpasses (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 LHB 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than 18
Coaches (Nos.) times
*****
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