Lok Sabha Question No. 2877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Mumbai Suburban Railway Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2877 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAY NETWORK

## 2877. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- the  details  of  the  number  of  passenger  deaths  reported  on  the Mumbai Suburban Railway system each year from 2022 to 2024, line
- (a) and station-wise;
- (b) the number of deaths and their main causes including deaths due to overcrowding, falling from trains, track crossing, category-wise; and
- (c) the  measures  taken/being  taken  to  prevent  these  accidents  on  the Mumbai Suburban Railway and the reason for fatalities continuing to remain high despite previous interventions?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  '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. The  cases  of  unnatural  death  are  registered  by  GRP/District  Police  and investigated . 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.

There is decrease in the number of incidents reported of unnatural deaths in Mumbai Suburban  Railway  network  during  the  year  2024  as  compared  to 2023.

As  per  information  received  from  GRP,  1764,  1880  &  1692  incidents  of unnatural  deaths  in  block  sections  and  662,  656  &  781  incidents  of unnatural deaths at stations have been registered in the year 2022, 2023 & 2024 respectively. These figure include the deaths due to falling from trains, trespassing (crossing track unauthorisedly), and various other reasons such as Pole hitting etc.

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.

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

Wi-Fi,  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. 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 and further to 3 in 2025-26 (upto 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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## 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  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, etc.
6. 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
11. 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
8. 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, Technologicalimprovements, better infrastructureand 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 | Better                                     | Better      | Better      | Better            |
|----------|--------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------------|
|        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 |

The following steps are also being taken for Commuters safety in Mumbai Suburban Railway network:-

1. Various  awareness  and  sensitization  campaigns  are  conducted  by railways using social media, digital & print media.
2. Frequent announcement is made at railway stations using Loud Hailers as well as through Public Announcement systems cautioning passengers against crossing tracks, boarding moving trains and travelling on footboards.
3. Short videos for passenger awareness are also displayed in Rail Display Network at railway station.
4. Flex  boards  in  both  Hindi&  Marathi  languages  have  been  installed  at vulnerable  locations  of  trespassing  to  caution  the  passengers/public against crossing railway tracks.
5. RPF staff is deployed at vulnerable locations to prevent trespassing and trespassers are prosecuted.
6. Legal  action  is  taken  against  persons  travelling  on  train  rooftops, footboards and other restricted places of the train formation.

*****