Parliament Question: Shortage of Safety Staff in Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2945 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 SHORTAGE OF SAFETY STAFF IN RAILWAYS 2945. SHRI SUNIL BOSE: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the quality of railway infrastructure in light of the various train collisions reported in the year 2025, Year-wise; (b) whether the Government has identified specific gaps in the existing safety systems and the measures being implemented to address these issues and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government plan to fill the 1.5 lakh vacant posts in the safety category particularly to ensure an adequate number of skilled frontline safety staff employed and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the timeline and strategy for recruiting and training safety staff to enhance the overall safety and reliability of railway operations? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (d): 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. Page 1 of 16 §234 n i a r T l a 165 i ts nt e un e 135 qd ei c sc nA o C f 55 o .o N 16 31 2 2005-06 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 (upto June 2026) Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:- Year Consequential Accidents 2014-15 135 2025-26 16 (88% lesser) 2026-27 (upto June 2026) 2 Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accident Index, the details of which are as under:- Consequential Accident Index:- Year Accident Index 2014-15 0.11 2025-26 0.01 (91% lesser) This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains. No. of consequential accidents Accident Index = No. of trains X million kilometers run Page 2 of 16The 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:- Year Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.) 2013-14 39,200 2022-23 87,336 2023-24 1,01,662 2024-25 1,14,022 2025-26 1,17,693 2026-27 1,20,389 2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,671 stations up to 30.06.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure. 3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,395 Level Crossing Gates up to 30.06.2026 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 6,671 stations up to 30.06.2026. 5. 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. 6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized. 7. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots. 8. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to Page 3 of 16alert the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors. 12. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety. 13. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails. 14. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e., Flash Butt Welding. 15. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars). 16. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures. 17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works. 18. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. 19. 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. Page 4 of 1620. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track, e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued. 21. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations. 22. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done. 23. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019. 24. 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. 25. 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. 26. 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. 27. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken. 28. 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. Page 5 of 16The 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:- S. 2004-05 to 2014-15 to 2014-26 Vs. Item No. 2013-14 2025-26 2004-14 Technological Improvements 1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.63 Lakh Km More than rails (60 Kg) (Km) 2.8 times 2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 87,219 Km Nearly (260m) (Km) 9 times 3. Electronic Interlocking 837 3,691 Stations More than (Stations) Stations 4 times 4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.26: 352 times Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 31,693 Nos. 90 Nos. 5. Thick Web Switches Nil 35,971 Nos. (Nos.) Better Maintenance Practices 1. Primary Rail Renewal 32,260 Km 57,583 Km 1.78 times (Track Km) 2. USFD (Ultra Sonic 79.43 Lakh 2.25 Crore More than Flaw detection) 2.8 times Testing of Welds (Nos.) 3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 93 % 3,699 Nos. 272 Nos. reduction 4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 92% 2,548 Nos. 208 Nos. reduction Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock 1. New Track KM added 14,985 Km 36,429 Km Almost (Track Km) 2.5 times 2. Flyovers 4,148 Nos. 14,362 Nos. More than (RoBs)/Underpasses 3 times (RUBs) (Nos.) 3. Unmanned Level As on As on 31.03.26:Nil Removed crossings (Nos.) on BG 31.03.14: (All eliminated by 8,948 31.01.19) 4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 49,366 Nos. More than Coaches (Nos.) 21 times Page 6 of 16Implementation of Kavach:- 1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4). 2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather. 3. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2. 4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020. 5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:- a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section. b. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length. c. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section. d. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track. e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways. 6. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024. 7. Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety for Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System. Page 7 of 168. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy, Improved Information of Signal Aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements, Kavach Ver.4.0. is planned for large scale deployment over Indian Railways. 9. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 2,633 Route Kilometres as on 31.07.2026, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:- S.No. Section Progress (Route Km) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: 1,423 Rkm I Tilak Bridge – Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura 1,327 – Kota-Nagda-Ratlam – Vadodra – Virar section ii Vadodara – Ahmedabad section 96 (2) Delhi – Howrah route: 1,210 Rkm i. Chipyana – Tundla– Kanpur – Subedarganj 563 section ii. Kanpur – Lucknow section 71 iii. Mirzapur - DDU (Excluding) section 64 iv. DDU(FOC) –Bhabua Road section 50 v. Sasaram – Pheser section 43 vi. Gaya – Sarmatarn – Nimiaghat section 159 vii. Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260 10. In addition, track side Kavach implementation work is being taken up on 21,794 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. Page 8 of 1611. The total progress of key items of Kavach on Indian Railway sections are as under:- S. No. Item Progress i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 11,547 Km ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1,721 Nos. iii Station Data Centre 1,009 station iv Installation of Track side equipment 7,726 RKm v Provision of Kavach in Loco 6,290 Nos. 12. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 7,190 Locomotives and 1,200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up. 13. Specialized training programmes on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than 94,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes about 57,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET. 14. The cost for provision of Track Side including Station equipment of Kavach is approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for provision of Kavach equipment on locomotives is approximately Rs. 80 Lakh/Loco. 15. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Jun‟26 is Rs.3,875Crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2026-27 is Rs.2,066 Crores. Kavach work is going at good pace in the entire country. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works. Recruitment Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-05 to 2013-14 vis-à-vis during 2014-15 to 2025-26 is given as under: - Page 9 of 16Period Recruitments 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 4.11 lakh 2014-2015 to 2026-2027 (upto 30.06.2026) 5.56 lakh Occurrence and filling up of vacancies are continuous processes 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, mechanisations and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements. 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. 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 Presently, recruitment against 1,61,889 vacancies of non-gazetted personnel has been taken up on Indian Railways as per Annual Calendar 2024, 2025 and 2026. During January to December 2024, ten Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies were notified for filling up of Page 10 of 16posts 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 92116 posts have been completed. Details are as under:- Exam Candidates Cities Languages 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) 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical 63,27,473 157 15 Popular Categories (Under Graduate) (3,445 vacancies) Page 11 of 16CBT for Ministerial & Isolated 4,46,013 139 15 categories (1,036 vacancies) CBT for Level-1 posts (32438 1,08,28,261 152 15 vacancies) Total Candidates 3,58,59,270 2nd stage CBTs for the posts of ALP, JE/DMS/CMA and Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate & Under-Graduate) have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages 2nd Stage CBT for the post of ALP 2,66,363 112 15 2nd Stage CBT for the post of 1,17,339 118 15 JE/DMS/CMA 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 1,21,931 129 15 Popular Categories (Graduate) 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 51,978 79 15 Popular Categories (Under-Graduate) Total Candidates 5,57,611 Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the posts of ALP and Non- Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Computer Based Skill Tests for the posts of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Under Graduate) and Ministerial & Isolated Categories have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBAT for the post of ALP 1,32,044 84 2 Translation Test for Ministerial and 1,233 8 2 Isolated Categories Page 12 of 16CBAT for the post of Non-Technical 13,616 38 2 Popular Categories (Graduate) Computer Based Typing Skill 30,341 58 2 Test(CBTST) for the posts of Non- Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) CBTST for the post of Non-Technical 13,145 44 2 Popular Categories(Under Graduate) Total Candidates 1,90,379 During 2026-2027 (upto 30.06.2026) panels for more than 3,300 candidates for various posts including the posts of Technicians, Junior Engineers, Paramedical Categories, Ministerial & Isolated categories and Assistant Loco Pilots have been finalised. Majority of them are in safety categories. In addition, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2025, nine Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 51970 vacancies have also been issued. Details are as under:- CEN No. Post Name No. of Vacancies Month of notified Notification 01/2025 Assistant Loco Pilots 10,970 March-2025 02/2025 Technician 6,238 June-2025 03/2025 Paramedical Categories 434 July-2025 04/2025 Section Controller 368 August-2025 05/2025 Junior Engineers (JEs)/ 2,585 October-2025 Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) Page 13 of 1606/2025 Non-Technical Popular 5,810 October-2025 Categories (Graduate) 07/2025 Non-Technical Popular 3,058 October-2025 Categories (Under- Graduate) 08/2025 Isolated Categories 312 December-2025 09/2025 Level-1 posts 22,195 December-2025 Total 51,970 First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 29,775 posts have been completed. Details are as under:- Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBT for the post of Section Controller 4,33,748 131 15 (368 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP 10,03,719 141 15 (10970 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for the post of 5,74,351 133 15 JE/DMS/CMA (2585 vacancies) CBT for the post of Technician (6238 8,41,525 117 15 vacancies) CBT for Paramedical Categories (434 3,19,396 106 15 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical 25,89,851 142 15 Popular Categories (Graduate) (5810 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical 32,95,980 142 15 Popular Categories (Under Graduate) (3058 vacancies) Page 14 of 16CBT for Isolated categories (312 37,774 34 15 vacancies) Total Candidates 90,96,344 2nd stage CBTs for the posts of JE/DMS/CMA, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Assistant Loco Pilots have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages 2nd Stage CBT for the post of 39,034 90 15 JE/DMS/CMA 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 87,317 98 15 Popular Categories (Graduate) 2nd Stage CBT for Assistant Loco Pilots 1,60,014 91 15 Total Candidates 286,365 Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the post of Section Controller has also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBAT for the post of 2,989 24 2 Section Controller Further, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2026, three Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 17,803 vacancies have been issued. Details are as under: CEN No. Post Name No. of Vacancies Month of notified Notification 01/2026 Assistant Loco Pilots 11,127 March-2026 02/2026 Technician 6,557 May-2026 03/2026 Section Controller 119 June-2026 Page 15 of 16Training 1. Indian Railways have taken several measures to enhance work productivity, motivation and professional competencies of railway employees through structured capacity building and advanced training. Capacity building and skill upgradation are continuous and institutionalized processes supported by a well-established training framework across Indian Railways. 2. Indian Railways have developed a comprehensive training ecosystem in the form of Centralized Training Institutes (CTIs), Multi-disciplinary Zonal Training Institutes (MDZTIs), Multi-disciplinary Divisional Training Institutes (MDDTIs), providing training interventions at various stages of the career of Indian Railway employees to ensure skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling. 3. As safe train operation is the top most priority of Indian Railways, special emphasis is laid on training of safety category employees. Detailed training modules including Kavach system as per prescribed periodicity are available for respective categories at initial and promotional stages along with refresher courses as well as specialized training courses. Training modules are designed to strengthen employees‟ competencies and equip railway personnel with the skills required for modern, technology-intensive railway operations. These modules are also periodically updated to incorporate new technologies in railway operations and maintenance. 4. Besides these training, some other / special courses are also run by the Training Institutes i.e. Training for Frontline Staff in Soft Skills, Customer Care Training, Disaster Management Training, Accident Investigation Programme for all Supervisors, Investigation for derailment for JE/SSE (P.Way), Train Parting Programme for Drivers, Threat Perception and Emergency Response, Fire Fighting and First Aid Skills, Gender sensitization, Yoga and Meditation and other training etc. ***** Page 16 of 16