Lok Sabha Question No. 5120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Optional Travel Insurance in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash, Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5120

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE IN RAILWAYS

5120.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of passenger earnings of Railways along with the number of counter ticket sales and online ticket sales during the last three years;
- (b)  whether there is a difference in price of counter ticket and internet ticket of Railways and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  is  providing  insurance  coverage  to  all  the passengers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  details  of  passenger  insurance  claims  received,  processed, disbursed and rejected by the Railways towards rail accidents during the last ten years, year-wise;
- (e) the details of passenger casualties occurred in various train accidents during the last three years;
- (f)  the  reasons  for  not  providing  optional  travel  insurance  facility  for counter issued railway tickets; and
- (g) whether the Government has any plan to extend the travel insurance facility to counter issued tickets also, if so, the details thereof and if not,
- the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (g)  The  details  of  number  of  tickets  booked  through  computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and Unreserved Ticketing System(UTS)

counters as well as through internet, during the financial years 2021-22, 202223 & 2023-24 and the passenger revenue for the same period was as under:(Figures in crore)

| Year    |   Total Number of tickets | Passenger Revenue   |
|---------|---------------------------|---------------------|
| 2021-22 |                    131.69 | 39,214              |
| 2022-23 |                    251.81 | 63,417              |
| 2023-24 |                    279.58 | 70,693              |

Online booking of tickets as an option is available, apart from physical purchase of  tickets.  As  far  as  fare  is  concerned  which  includes  Basic  fare, Reservation  charges,  Surcharge  Superfast,  GST  as  applicable  are  same  for both Passenger Reservation System counter tickets and e-tickets.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has provided the facility to book reserved tickets online saving passengers from the  botheration  of  going  to  reservation  counters  to  book  the  tickets  thus saving travel time and transportation costs. IRCTC levies a convenience fee. In  addition,  customers  also  pay  transaction  charges  to  Banks.  The  online ticket  booking  facility  provided  by  IRCTC  is  one  of  the  most  passenger friendly  initiatives  of  Indian  Railways  and  at  present  more  than  80%  of  the reserved tickets are booked online.

All  Railway  passengers  irrespective  of  booking  ticket  online  or  at reservation  counters  and  also  all  unreserved  passengers  are  provided  with compensation as defined under the Railways Act of 1989. In addition to this, ex-gratia  amount as an  instant relief  is  also  given  to  passengers  who  meet with train accident/untoward incidents.

Also,  an  option  is  given  to  passengers  under  the  scheme  namely Optional  Travel  Insurance  Scheme  (OTIS)  who  book  online  e-ticket  through official  website  of  Indian  Railway  Catering  &  Tourism  Corporation  (IRCTC). This scheme is purely optional in nature. Any passenger who wishes to avail insurance benefit can opt for this scheme at the time of booking the ticket at his/her own discretion. The scheme is available to the passengers who book e-tickets through IRCTC and it provides additional insurance cover to those who  have  opted  for  it  and  paid  the  premium.  Passengers  directly  fill  their nominations  on  the  websites  of  insurance  companies  and  settles  claims directly with the insurance companies.

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.

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  2023-24,  indicating  an  improvement  of  approx.  73% during the said period.

The number of Consequential Train Accidents during the last three years is depicted in the graph below:-

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Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and casualties (including railway passengers and railway personnel) therein are as follows:-

| Period             | No. of Consequential Train Accidents   |   No. of Deaths | No. of Injuries   |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14 | 1,711                                  |             904 | 3,155             |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 | 678                                    |             748 | 2,087             |

Further  various  safety  measures  taken  to  enhance  safety  in  train operations are as follows:-

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 6,623 stations up to 28.02.2025 to eliminate accident due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,089 level Crossing Gates up to 28.02.2025 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 6,631 stations up to 28.02.2025.
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-
6. Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route Km). Track side  works  on  these  routes  have  been  completed  on  about  2066  RKm. Regular trials are being done on 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  Signal  &  Telecom  (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  Over  Head  Equipment  (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 Plasser Quick Relaying System (PQRS), Track Relaying Train (TRT), T28 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.
22. Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
23. Replacement  of  conventional  Integral  Coach  Factory  (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

| Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities(Rs. in Crore)   |
|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                          | 2013-14 (Actual)                                         | 2022-23 (Actual)                                         | 2023-24 (Actual)                                         | RE 2024-25                                               | BE 2025-26                                               |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                     | 9172                                                     | 18,115                                                   | 20,322                                                   | 21,800                                                   | 23,316                                                   |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock            | 14796                                                    | 27,086                                                   | 30,864                                                   | 31,540                                                   | 30,666                                                   |
| Maintenance of Machines                                  | 5406                                                     | 9,828                                                    | 10,772                                                   | 12,112                                                   | 12,880                                                   |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                           | 1986                                                     | 5,347                                                    | 6,662                                                    | 8,184                                                    | 7,706                                                    |
| Track Renewals                                           | 4985                                                     | 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      | 1823                                                     | 7,119                                                    | 9,523                                                    | 9,581                                                    | 10,134                                                   |
| Total                                                    | 39463                                                    | 87,327                                                   | 1,01,651                                                 | 1,14,022                                                 | 1,16,470                                                 |

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:-

| S.No.   | Item                                   | 2004-05 to 2013-14         | 2014-15 to 2024-25 ( till January 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                  | 1.4 lakh km                             | More than 2 times          |
| 2       | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)         | 9,917 km                   | 76,000 km                               | More than 7 times          |
| 3       | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)     | 837 stations               | 3,243 stations                          | 4 times                    |

| 4      | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                            | As on 31.03.14: 90 nos.                 | As on 31.01.25: 25,293                           | 281 times                               |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 5      | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                                     | 27,079 nos.                                      |                                         |
| Better | maintenance practices                                     | maintenance practices                   | maintenance practices                            | maintenance practices                   |
| 1      | PrimaryRail Renewal (Track Km)                            | 32,260 km                               | 49,000 km                                        | 1.5 times                               |
| 2      | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 lakh                              | 1.9 crore                                        | More than 2 times                       |
| 3      | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 301 nos.                             | 92 % reduction                          |
| 4      | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 243 nos.                             | 91% 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 nos.                             | 34,000 km                                        | More than 2 times                       |
| 2      | Flyovers (RoBs)/ Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.)                | 4,148 nos.                              | 12,771 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.                              | 41,551                                           | More than 17 times                      |

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