Lok Sabha Question No. 5225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Major Rail Accidents and Derailments
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kumari Selja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## MAJOR RAIL ACCIDENTS AND DERAILMENTS

5225. KUMARI SELJA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  major  train  accidents  and  derailments  that  have occurred  in  the  country  since  June  2023  along  with  the  number  of casualties and injuries reported in each case;
- (b) whether inquiries have been conducted into these incidents, if so, the key findings and causes indentified; and
- (c) the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance railway  safety  and  prevent  such  incidents  in  the  future  particularly  in high-density traffic zones?

## 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.

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 2023-24 and 2024-25 are 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             |

Each  and  every  train  accident  is  inquired  into  either by  the statutory body, the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) under Ministry of Civil Aviation or Departmental Inquiry Committees of Railways as per laid  down  norms.  The  Inquiry  Committees,  after  due  deliberations, submit their findings and recommendations in various accidents. Appropriate action is taken by the respective Railway administration for implementation  of  the  recommendations  by  the  committees  in  their report. The causes of the train accidents broadly include track defects, Loco/Coach defects, equipment failures, human errors etc.

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 | 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  6,623 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-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  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).
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.
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. 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 Jan 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                              | Better Maintenance Practices            | Better Maintenance Practices                     | Better Maintenance Practices            |
| 1.   | Primary Rail 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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