Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Rail Accidents on Mumbai Suburban Railway Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## RAIL ACCIDENTS ON MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAY NETWORK

- *60.  PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD: SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of persons died and  got injured in accidents while travelling in the Mumbai Suburban Railway network  during each of the last five years and the current year along with the major causes of such accidents;
- (b) whether  families  of  the  victims  of  the  said  rail  accidents  are being provided compensation or relief by the Railways;
- (c) if so, the amount of compensation paid during the last five years and the process for claiming such compensation;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any specific steps/measures to  reduce  the  number  of  accidents  and  deaths  on  Mumbai Suburban network and  if  so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  considered  introducing  modern safety technologies like AI-based crowd monitoring or platform screen doors and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been adequately deployed in accident prone areas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether  the  Government  has  also  taken  steps  to  improve platform infrastructure in Mumbai suburban stations to prevent accidents and if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

- (a) to (g)

ANSWER ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (g)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025.

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

| Period             | No. of   |   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             |

As  regards  accidents  on  Mumbai  Suburban  Railway  Network, during the last 5 years i.e., from 2020-21 to 2024-25 and in the current Financial Year 2025-26 (up to 30 th   June, 2025), total  5  consequential train accidents of suburban trains took place in the Mumbai Suburban Network over Central Railway and Western Railway.

On  Central  Railway,  5  consequential  train  accidents  occurred whereas, on Western Railway, no consequential train accident occurred  during  the  same  period.  In  these  accidents,  no  fatality  or injury took place.

The  causes  of  these  accidents  broadly  include  track  defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors, etc.

Accident victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to  the  next  of  kin  of  deceased  and  injured  individuals  in  untoward incidents  in  Mumbai  Suburban  Railway  Network  during  the  period 2020-21 to 2024-25 is Rs. 34.55 Lakh.

Compensation  for  death/injury  of  railway  passengers  in  train accidents  and  untoward  incidents  as  defined  under  Section  124 and

Section  124-A  (read  with  Section  123)  of  the  Railways  Act,  1989,  is decided  by  Railway  Claims  Tribunal  (RCT)  on  the  basis  of  a  claim application  filed  by  the  victims/their  dependents  before  RCT  and  it disposes of the cases after following the due judicial process. Railway Administration pays compensation only when a decree is awarded by Hon'ble  RCT  in  favour of  the  claimant  and  Railways  decide  to implement the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the exgratia amount. Total amount of compensation paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased in untoward incidents in Mumbai Suburban Railway Network during the period 2020-21 to 2024-25 is Rs. 216.87 Cr.

It  may be noted that the compensation paid in a year need not necessarily relate to the accidents/casualties in that year alone. The amount paid in a year depends upon the number of cases finalized by Railway Claims Tribunals (RCTs) or other Courts of Law in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident they pertain to, have occurred.

The  various  safety  measures  taken  to  enhance  safety  in  train operations, that include the Suburban Train Operations as well, 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                                          | 9,172                                                   | 18,115                                                  | 20,322                                                  | 21,800                                                  | 23,316                                                  |
| Permanent Way & Works                                   |                                                         |                                                         |                                                         |                                                         |                                                         |

| 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  DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors  (approximately  3000  RKm). Track side works on these routes have been completed on about 2200  RKm  as  on  30.06.2025.  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
18. 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.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 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                      |

Other  safety  measures  adopted  on  Indian  Railways  including Mumbai Suburban Section, the following action plan has been drawn up:-

1. Creation of Permanent holding areas at 73 identified stations:
2.  During  the  festival  season  of  2024,  holding  areas  were created outside stations. These waiting areas were able to hold large crowds at Surat, Udhna, Patna and New Delhi. Passengers  were  allowed  to  enter  only  when  the  train came to the platform.
3.  Similar  arrangements  were  made  during  Mahakumbh  at nine stations of Prayag area.
4.  Based  on  the  experience  of  these  stations,  it  has  been decided to create permanent waiting areas outside stations at 73 stations across the country, which periodically  face  heavy  crowds.  Crowd  build  up  will  be controlled  within  the  waiting  area.  Passengers  will  be allowed to go to platforms only when the trains arrive at the platform. This will decongest the platforms.
5.  Pilot  projects  have  started  at  New  Delhi,  Anand  Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Ghaziabad stations.
2. Access control:
7.  Complete access control will be initiated at the 73 identified stations.
8.  Passengers  with  confirmed  reserve  tickets  will  be  given direct access to the platforms.
9.  Passengers without a ticket or with a waiting list ticket will wait in the outside waiting   area.
10. 
11. All unauthorised entry points will be sealed.
3. Wider foot-over-bridges (FOB):
13.  Two new designs of  12  metre  wide  (40  feet)  and  6  metre wide  (20  feet)  standard  FOB  have  been  developed.  These wide FOBs  with ramps  were very effective in  crowd management during Mahakumbh. These new standard wide FOBs will be installed in all the stations.

## 4. Cameras:

-  Cameras  helped  crowd  management  in  a  big  way  during Mahakumbh. CCTV cameras at Railway stations and adjoining areas will aid close monitoring and management of crowd at railway station.

## 5. War rooms:

-  War rooms at large stations will be developed. Officers of all departments  will  work  in  the  war  room  during  crowd situations.
6. New generation communication equipment:
-  Latest design digital communication equipment like walkietalkies,  announcement  systems,  calling  systems  will  be installed on all heavy crowd stations.

## 7. New design ID card:

-  All staff and service persons will be given a new design ID card so that only authorised persons can enter the station.

## 8. New design uniform for staff:

-  All staff members will be given new design uniforms so that they can be easily identified during a crisis situation.

## 9. Upgradation of Station Director post:

-  All  major  stations  will  have  a  senior  officer  as  Station Director.  All  other  departments  will  report  to  the  Station Director.
-  Station Director will get financial empowerment so that he can take on-the-spot decisions for improving the station.

## 10. Sale of tickets as per capacity:

-  Station  Director  will  be  empowered  to  control  the  sale  of tickets  as  per  capacity  of  the  station  and  the  available trains.

Further, the following steps are being taken in coordination with other stakeholders to control the rush at stations:-

-  Coordination with GRP/State Police and concerned railway departments are made for ensuring crowd management.
-  GRP  &  RPF  staff  is  deployed  at  sensitive  locations  to regulate crowd smoothly during the heavy rush period and render real time assistance to passengers.
-  GRP & RPF staff is deployed at foot-over bridges to regulate crowd  smoothly  in  order  to  avoid  stampede  like  situation during the heavy rush period and render real time assistance to passengers.
-  Intelligence units (CIB/SIB) and plain cloth staff are deployed  for collection of information about rush and

accordingly arrangements were made associating GRP/Police. Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  staff  is  adequately  deployed  to work in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police to strengthen the overall security and protection of passengers.

- *****