Lok Sabha Question No. 3111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Measures for Enhancement of Passengers Safety in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## MEASURES FOR ENHANCEMENT OF PASSENGERS SAFETY IN RAILWAYS

3111. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that as per last year's Railways data from  its  17  railway  zones,  351  people  have  died  and  970  injured  in  200 consequential railway accidents during the last five years, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  railway  safety and prevent such accidents in the future; and
- (c) the  measures  implemented/being  implemented  by  the  Government  to address gaps in railway infrastructure and ensure passenger safety?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c): 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 40 in 2023-24 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

678  during  the  period  2014-24  (average  68  per  annum)  i.e.  a  reduction  of 60%.

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.

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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 |                                   1711 |             904 |              3155 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 |                                    678 |             748 |              2087 |

During the last five years i.e., from 2020-21 to 2024-25 (upto February 2025),  a  total  of  175  consequential  train  accidents  have  taken  place  over Indian Railways. In these accidents 366 persons have lost their lives and 969

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

Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. 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:
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and  signals have  been  provided  at 6,617 stations up to 31.01.2025 to eliminate accident due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,083 Level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.01.2025  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  6,625 stations up to 31.01.2025.
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 1969 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, fanshaped 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. 28.
29. 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.

| Expenditure on Safety related activities            | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|                                                     | 2013-14 (Act.)                             | 2022-23 (Act.)                             | 2023-24 (Act.) | RE 2024-25     |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                | 9172                                       | 18,115                                     | 20,322         | 21,800         |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock       | 14796                                      | 27,086                                     | 30,864         | 31,540         |
| Maintenance of Machines                             | 5406                                       | 9,828                                      | 10,772         | 12,112         |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                      | 1986                                       | 5,347                                      | 6,662          | 8,184          |
| Track Renewals                                      | 4985                                       | 16,326                                     | 17,850         | 22,669         |
| Bridge Works                                        | 390                                        | 1,050                                      | 1,907          | 2,130          |
| Signal & Telecom Works                              | 905                                        | 2,456                                      | 3,751          | 6,006          |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety | 1823                                       | 7,119                                      | 9,523          | 9,581          |
| Total                                               | 39463                                      | 87,327                                     | 1,01,651       | 1,14,022       |

## The  details  of  the  Safety  related  works  undertaken  by  Railways  are tabulated below:-

| SN   | Item                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24                              | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
|      | Track Maintenance                                             |                      |                                                 |                       |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Track Renewal (Rs. in Cr.)                     | 47,038               | 1,09,577                                        | 2.33 times            |
| 2.   | Rail Renewal Primary (Track Km)                               | 32,260               | 43,335                                          | 1.34 times            |
| 3.   | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                        | 57,450               | 1,23,717                                        | 2.15 times            |
| 4.   | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                                | 9,917                | 68,233                                          | 6.88 times            |
| 5.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails (Track km) | 20,19,630            | 26,52,291                                       | 1.31 times            |
| 6.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.)     | 79,43,940            | 1,73,06,046                                     | 2.17 times            |
| 7.   | New Track KM added (Track km)                                 | 14,985               | 31,180                                          | 2.08 times            |
| 8.   | Weld failures (Nos.)                                          | In 2013-14: 3699     | In 2023-24: 481                                 | 87% reduction         |
| 9.   | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                         | In 2013-14: 2548     | In 2023-24: 383                                 | 85% reduction         |
| 10   | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                     | Nil                  | 21,127                                          |                       |
| 11   | Track Machines (Nos.)                                         | As on 31.03.14 = 748 | As on 31.03.24 = 1,661                          | 122% increase         |
|      | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                               |                      |                                                 |                       |
| 1.   | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)           | As on 31.03.14: 8948 | As on 31.03.24: Nil(All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% reduction        |
| 2.   | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)             | 1,137                | 7,075                                           | 6.21 Times            |
| 3.   | Road over Bridges (RoBs)/ Road under Bridges (RUBs) (Nos.)    | 4,148                | 11,945                                          | 2.88 Times            |

| 4.   | Expenditure on LC Elimination (LC+ROB+RUB)                                                    | 8,825              | 41,957                 | 4.75 Times   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|------------------------|--------------|
|      | Bridge Rehabilitation                                                                         |                    |                        |              |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)                                             | 3,924              | 8,255                  | 2.10 Times   |
|      | Signalling Works                                                                              |                    |                        |              |
| 1.   | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                                                            | 837                | 2,964                  | 3.52 times   |
| 2.   | Automatic Block Signaling (Km)                                                                | 1,486              | 2,497                  | 1.67 times   |
| 3.   | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                                                                | As on 31.03.14: 90 | As on 31.03.24: 19,742 | 219 times    |
|      | Rolling Stock                                                                                 |                    |                        |              |
| 1.   | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                                                             | 2,337              | 36,933                 | 15.80 times  |
| 2.   | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                  | 0                  | 19,271                 |              |
| 3.   | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars (Nos. of Coaches) | 0                  | 2,991                  |              |
| 4.   | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                          | 0                  | 66,840                 |              |

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