Lok Sabha Question No. 4451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Train Derailment Incidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4451 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## TRAIN DERAILMENT INCIDENTS

## 4451. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  train  derailment  incidents  reported  during  2023-24 and  April-June  2025,  zone  and  cause-wise  (track  failure,  rollingstock defect, human error, etc.);
- (b) the details of current route coverage of the Kavach automatic trainprotection system and the target set for March 2026, zone-wise;
- (c) whether  any  derailments  occurred  on  sections  already  equipped with  Kavach  and  if  so,  the  details  and  technical  reasons  for  nonactivation of system/failure thereof;
- (d) the  number  of  Kavach-equipped  locomotives  in  service  and  the schedule for retrofitting the remaining fleet; and
- (e) whether an independent safety audit of Kavach implementation has been conducted since 2023 and if so, the key findings thereof and the corrective measures taken to address interoperability, maintenance/signalling-integration issues?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e) 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 (up to June).

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 taken to enhance safety in train operations including improvement of signalling systems 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.

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  DelhiHowrah  corridors  (approximately  3000  RKm).  Kavach  has  been successfully  commissioned  over  Kota  -  Mathura  section  (Delhi  Mumbai route) covering 324 Route Kilometres 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,
7. 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
2. machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.
3. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby
13. 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).
8. 17.
9. 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.
3. 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
27. underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner.
5. 28.
6. 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           | 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 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                        |

## Kavach Implementation

1. Kavach is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 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
4. Ver 3.2.
5. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
6. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:
- a. Installation  of  Station  Kavach  at  each  and  every  station, block section.
8. b.
9. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
10. c.
11. d.
12. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
13. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- e. Provision  of  Loco  Kavach  on  each  and  every  Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
15. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on south central Railway, a lot of experience was gained. Using that further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024. No mishaps preventable by
6. Kavach happened in these sections.
17. 4.
18. 5.

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.
8. 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  in  324  Rkms  of  Mathura-Kota section for advance version of Kavach 4.0, this section is approved by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA).  This is also the first section to be approved by ISA.  Kavach Version 4.0 has been commissioned over  Kota-Mathura  section  covering  324  Route  Kilometers  on 30.07.2025.
10. Progress of Key items comprising  Kavach  system on Indian Railways upto July'25 is as under:
11. Project  for  equipping  10,000  Locomotives  has  been  finalized.  69 number  of  loco  sheds  have  been  prepared  for  equipping  with Kavach.
12. Bids for track side Works of Kavach for approximately 15,000 RKm have been invited covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections

| SN   | Items                                | Progress   |
|------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 5867 Km    |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 629 Nos.   |
| iii  | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 708 Nos.   |
| Iv   | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 1290 Locos |
| v    | Installation of Track side equipment | 4005 Rkm   |

of  Indian  Railways,  out  of  which  works  of  14954  RKm  have  been awarded.

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  30,000  technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.

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