Lok Sabha Question No. 393 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Train Accidents in Southern Railway Zone
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 393

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## TRAIN ACCIDENTS IN SOUTHERN RAILWAY ZONE

*393. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been increase in the number of train accidents in the Southern Railway zone particularly in Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof including the number of casualties and affected  routes  along  with  the  main  reasons  identified  for  these accidents;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  delay  in the  implementation  of  the  Kavach  train    protection  system  in  Tamil Nadu and nearby railway zones, if so,  the  details  thereof  along  with the reasons for the said delay; and
- (d) the timeline by which Kavach is expected to be fully implemented in the said zone?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025.

(a) to (d): 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 (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 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             |

During the last three years, 3 consequential train accidents have taken place over Southern Railway. No fatality took place in these 3 accidents. However, 9 persons sustained injuries on 11.10.2024, in the case  of  collision,  which  happened  at  Kavaraippettai  station  over Chennai Division of Southern Railway.

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 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). 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.
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).
16. 17.
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.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 Nos.                      | 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 Km                               | 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: 8,948                   | 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
3. 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 Ver 3.2.
5. 4.
6. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following key activities:-
- a. Installation  of  Station  Kavach at each and every station, block section.
9. b.
10. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- c. Installation of telecom towers throughout the section.
12. d.
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
6. was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.
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, Indian Railways 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 15.08.2025 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 of  Indian  Railways,  out  of  which  works  of  14,954 RKm have been awarded.
23. 13.
24. 14.

| S. No.   | Items                                | Progress    |
|----------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| i.       | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 5,870 Km    |
| ii.      | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 638 Nos.    |
| iii.     | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 708 Nos.    |
| iv.      | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 1,348 Locos |
| v.       | Installation of Track side equipment | 4,012 Rkm   |

Part of sections mentioned above passes through the state of Tamil Nadu. 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. *****