Lok Sabha Question No. 597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Commuters' Safety on Mumbai Suburban Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  597 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## COMMUTERS' SAFETY ON MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAYS

## 597. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  number  of  commuter fatalities reported on Mumbai's Suburban Railway network in the year 2024, if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
- (b) whether  an  inquiry  was  conducted  into  the  recent  accident  near Mumbra  station,  if so, the findings thereof and  the corrective measures taken by the Government;
- (c) whether the introduction of AC local trains with automatic doors has helped address overcrowding and reduce accidents, if so, the details of assessment of the effectiveness if any made;
- (d) whether  the  safety  roadmap  proposed  in  compliance  with  Bombay High Court directives included consultations with civil society groups,  transport  experts  and  commuter  associations,  if  so,  the outcomes of such consultations; and
- (e) the measures taken/being undertaken by the Government to enhance railway infrastructure, increase train frequency and eliminate commuter deaths on Mumbai's suburban rail corridors?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order' are  State  subjects under the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and therefore, State Governments are responsible  for  prevention,  detection,  registration,  and  investigation  of crime  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  on  Railways  through  their  law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP/  District Police to  provide  better  protection and  security  to railway  property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

As per information received from GRP, 2,282 fatalities reported on Mumbai's Suburban  Railway  network  in  2024  due  to  various  reasons  such  as trespassing, pole hitting, falling from running trains, falling in platform gap etc. The district wise fatalities in Mumbai's Suburban Railway network are given below:

| District    |   Fatalities in Mumbai's Suburban Railway network due to various reason |
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Mumbai      |                                                                    1408 |
| Thane       |                                                                     615 |
| Raigarh     |                                                                     128 |
| Navi Mumbai |                                                                     131 |

A committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of incident near Mumbra station.

The  introduction  of  AC  local  trains  equipped  with  automatic  doors  in Mumbai  has  been  a  welcome initiative to enhance commuters' safety and

reduce  incidents  related  to  overcrowding.  The  automatic  doors  prevent passengers from hanging on footboards or boarding moving trains which is a major cause of fatal accidents. These doors remain closed while the train is in  motion  and  open  only  at  stations  when  the  train  is  stationary,  thereby significantly reducing the risk of falls.

Increase in frequency of the train services including suburban train services is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification and availability of resources etc.

To improve the infrastructure in  Mumbai  suburban  railway services, following projects have been sanctioned:

|   SN | Name of Project                                              |   Length (km) | Cost (in Cr.)   |
|------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|-----------------|
|    1 | CSMT-Kurla 5 th & 6 th Line (MUTP-II)                        |          17.5 | 891             |
|    2 | Mumbai Central-Borivali 6 th Line (MUTP-II)                  |          30   | 919             |
|    3 | Extension of Harbour Line from Goregaon-Borivali (MUTP-IIIA) |           7   | 826             |
|    4 | Borivali-Virar 5 th & 6 th Line (MUTP-IIIA)                  |          26   | 2,184           |
|    5 | Virar-Dahanu Road 3 rd & 4 th Line (MUTP-III)                |          64   | 3,587           |
|    6 | Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor (MUTP-III)                   |          29.6 | 2,782           |
|    7 | Airoli-Kalwa (elevated) Suburban Corridor link (MUTP-III)    |           3.3 | 476             |
|    8 | Kalyan-Asangaon 4 th Line (MUTP-IIIA)                        |          32   | 1,759           |
|    9 | Kalyan-Badlapur 3 rd & 4 th line (MUTP-IIIA)                 |          14   | 1,510           |

|   10 | Kalyan-Kasara 3 rd Line              |   67 |   793 |
|------|--------------------------------------|------|-------|
|   11 | Naigaon-Juichandra double chord Line |    6 |   176 |
|   12 | Nilaje-Kopar double chord Line       |    5 |   338 |

Ministry of Railways  has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.  It envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. It involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in  phases  to  improve  the  amenities  at  the  stations  like  improvement  of station  access,  circulating  areas,  waiting  halls,  toilets,  lift/escalators  as necessary, platform surfacing and cover over platform, cleanliness, free WiFi,  kiosks  for  local  products  through  schemes  like  'One  Station  One Product', better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans,  sustainable  and  environment  friendly  solutions,  provision  of ballastless  tracks,  etc.  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and creation of city centre at the station in the long term.

So  far,  1337  stations  including  132  stations  in  the  state  of  Maharashtra have been identified for development under this scheme.

Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  on  Indian  Railways.  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.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                         | 2013-14 (Act.)                                          | 2022- 23 (Act.)                                         | 2023-24 (Act.)                                          | RE 2024- 25                                             | BE 2025- 26                                             |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                    | 9,172                                                   | 18,115                                                  | 20,322                                                  | 21,800                                                  | 23,316                                                  |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock           | 14,796                                                  | 27,086                                                  | 30,864                                                  | 31,540                                                  | 30,666                                                  |
| Maintenance of Machines                                 | 5,406                                                   | 9,828                                                   | 10,772                                                  | 12,112                                                  | 12,880                                                  |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                          | 1,986                                                   | 5,347                                                   | 6,662                                                   | 8,184                                                   | 7,706                                                   |
| 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 Works                                  | 905                                                     | 2,456                                                   | 3,751                                                   | 6,006                                                   | 6,800                                                   |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety     | 1,823                                                   | 7,119                                                   | 9,523                                                   | 9,581                                                   | 10,134                                                  |
| 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.
- 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 3000 RKm). Track side works on these routes have been completed on about  2200  RKm  as  on  30.06.2025.  Regular  trials  are  being  done  on
5. these sections.
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.
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).
6. 17.
7. 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.
5. 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
26. 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:-

| S.N.                         | Item                                                      | 2004-05 to 2013-14           | 2014-15 to 2024-25 (till March 25)   | 2014-25 Vs. 2004-14          |
|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Technological improvements   | Technological improvements                                | Technological improvements   | Technological improvements           | Technological improvements   |
| 1.                           | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                    | 57,450 Km                    | 1.43 Lakh Km                         | More than 2 times            |
| 2.                           | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                            | 9,917 Km                     | 77,522 Km                            | Nearly 8 times               |
| 3.                           | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                        | 837 Stations                 | 3,691 Stations                       | More than 4 times            |
| 4.                           | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                            | As on 31.03.14: 90 Nos.      | As on 31.03.25: 25,939               | 288 times                    |
| 5.                           | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                          | 28,301 Nos.                          |                              |
| Better maintenance practices | Better maintenance practices                              | Better maintenance practices | Better maintenance practices         | Better maintenance practices |
| 1.                           | Primary Rail Renewal (Track Km)                           | 32,260 Km                    | 49,941 Km                            | 1.5 times                    |
| 2.                           | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 Lakh                   | 2 Crore                              | More than 2 times            |
| 3.                           | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699 Nos.        | In 2024-25: 370 Nos.                 | 90 %reduction                |
| 4.                           | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548 Nos.        | In 2024-25: 289 Nos.                 | More than 88% reduction      |

|   Better infrastructure and Rolling stock | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock    | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock   | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock          | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock   |
|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
|                                         1 | New Track KM added (Track km)              | 14,985 Nos.                               | 34,428 Km                                        | More than 2 times                         |
|                                         2 | Flyovers (RoBs)/ Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.) | 4,148 Nos.                                | 13,808 Nos.                                      | More than 3 times                         |
|                                         3 | Unmanned Level crossings (nos.) on BG      | As on 31.03.14: 8948                      | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | Removed                                   |
|                                         4 | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)          | 2,337 Nos.                                | 42,677                                           | More than 18 times                        |

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