Lok Sabha Question No. 2809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: CAG Audit Report on Train Derailment
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2809

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## CAG AUDIT REPORT ON TRAIN DERAILMENT

## 2809. MR. PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Performance Audit Report of the CAG on Derailment in Indian Railways Report No. 22 of 2022 clearly mentioned that one of the main reasons of train accidents is poor maintenance of Railway Tracks, if so, details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that there is a shortfall of ranging between 30  per  cent  to  100  per  cent  in  TRC  (Track  Recording  Cars) Inspections as per the Audit Report, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  details  of  TRC  Inspections  done  along  with  the  number  of inspections that are due during the last two years, Zone-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): 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. The causes of the accidents that took place over Indian Railways broadly include track defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors, etc.

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, 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.

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The  various  safety  measures  that  include  track  infrastructure also, 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:-
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  DelhiMumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  corridors  (approximately  3000  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,
10. 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).
18. 17.
19. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in
21. 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.
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.

| 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                                                |

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   |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1.   | New Track KM added (Track km)                               | 14,985 Km.                              | 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                      |

As regards the recommendations by CAG in its Report No. 22 of 2022  on  'Derailment  in  Indian  Railways'  that  'Indian  Railways  may develop a strong monitoring mechanism to ensure timely implementation of maintenance activities by adopting fully mechanized methods of track maintenance and improved technologies', it is submitted that Indian Railways  has  already adopted  a  fully  mechanized  Track  Management  System  (TMS)  to ensure monitoring of the track maintenance activities.

There are various means of inspection of track and inspection by Track Recording Car (TRC) is one of the means. Track Recording Car carries out super check of track parameters, which are measured and monitored by the supervisors on the field. There were a total of 5 TRCs in  Indian Railways during the period of study by Audit. After that, 04 more TRCs have been added to carry out the inspections. However, in case of non availability of TRC, alternative means such as Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) is used.

As far as recording of track by TRC is concerned, no shortfall in inspection  is  observed  during  the  financial  years  2022-23,  2023-24, 2024-25 and year 2025-26 (upto June 2025).

The  details  of  TRC  recording  achieved  over  Indian  Railways during the last two years are as under:-

| Year    |   Annual Requirement (Km) |   Recording Done (Km) |
|---------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
| 2023-24 |                    271332 |                282754 |
| 2024-25 |                    226258 |                262018 |

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