Lok Sabha Question No. 1625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Train Accident near Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Raja A, Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1625 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## TRAIN ACCIDENT NEAR THIRUVALLUR, TAMIL NADU

1625.  SHRI K SUDHAKARAN: SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the fire incident involving a crude oil tanker on a freight  train  near  Thiruvallur,  Tamil  Nadu,  on  July  13,  2025, including  the  cause  of  the  fire  and  the  extent  of  damage  to railway infrastructure;
- (b) whether any enquiry has been ordered, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has investigated reports of a crack in the railway track near the incident site and if so, the measures taken/being taken to address potential sabotage or track safety issues;
- (d) whether  safety  audit  of  these  tracks  under  Southern  Railway was ever done, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  Railways  would  order  for  safety  audit  and  preventive maintenance of  all  tracks  including  signal  and  communication system in Railway, if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the details of the steps taken to mitigate the disruption caused to  train  services,  including  the  cancellation,  diversion  and short-termination of trains on the Chennai-Arakkonam route;
- (g) the  safety  measures  being  implemented  to  prevent  similar incidents on freight trains carrying hazardous materials; and
- (h) the  timeline  for  restoring  full  train  operations  on  the  affected route and any compensation planned for affected passengers?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (h):  On  13-07-2025  at  05.10  hours,  a  freight  train  carrying petroleum products caught fire at kilometer 42/10A-16A near Thiruvallur station over Chennai Division of Southern Railway. In the incident, 18 wagons of the train suffered damage. At the location of the incident, there was damage to the tracks (sleepers, rails, turnout switch),  electrical  equipment  (overhead  equipment  mast,  catenary and  contact  wires)  and  signaling  equipment  (point  machine,  bond wires).  The  cost  of  damage  to  the  railway  infrastructure  due  to  the incident  has  been  estimated  to  be  roughly  ₹1.69  crore.  An  inquiry committee has been constituted by Southern Railway to inquire into the incident.

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.

The number of consequential train accidents during the last five years are depicted in the Graph below.

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The  various  safety  measures  taken  to  enhance  safety  in  train operations are as under:-

- i. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:-
- ii. 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.
- iii. 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.
- iv. 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.
- v. Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive  system,  which  requires safety  certification  of  highest  order.  Kavach  was  adopted  as  a

| 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                                                |

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). 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.

- vi. 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.
- vii. System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
- viii. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
- ix. 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.
- x. 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.
- xi. 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.
- xii. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.
- xiii. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby improving safety.
- xiv. Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD)  testing  of  rails  to  detect  flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
- xv. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding  and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e., Flash Butt Welding.
- xvi. Monitoring of track geometry  by OMS  (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
- xvii. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
- xviii. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout renewal works.
- xix. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
- xx. 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.
- xxi. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track,  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued.
- xxii. Preventive  maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
- xxiii. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done.
- xxiv. All  unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
- xxv. 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.
- xxvi. 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.
- xxvii. 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.
- xxviii. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
- xxix. 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.

Safety-related Works: 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                       | 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                     | 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                      |

Intra-railway safety audits were conducted in the section comprising the  location  of  the  incident  in  February  2024  and  before  that  in December  2017.  In  both  these  audits,  no  specific  deficiencies  were reported regarding track and signal and communication system at the location  where  the  incident  took  place.  These  audits  are  over  and above the regular inspections that have been conducted as prescribed in Indian Railways manuals.

In the wake of the incident, Southern Railway made all round efforts to  minimize  effects  on  its  services.  As  a  result,  94.6  percent  of scheduled  services  were  maintained.  This  was  made  possible  by suitably  diverting  inter-zonal  and  long  distance  trains  by  providing alternate stoppages  for the benefit of travelling passengers.  In addition, Southern Railway efficiently planned and utilised the available  lie-over  rakes  of  long  distance  trains  to  run  the  highly patronized services towards Mangalore and Alappuzha which otherwise would have got cancelled due to the want of rakes. Special trains operated towards Coimbatore from Chennai Central for stranded passengers  as  there  were  no  regular  services  from  Chennai  Central towards Coimbatore.   The following steps were taken to mitigate the disruption caused to train services, including the cancellation, diversion and short-termination of trains on the Chennai- Arakkonam route:

- i. Arrangement  of  Special  Buses-  At  Arakkonam  Junction  (AJJ),  a total of 20 buses were arranged to bridge stranded passengers from Train Nos. 17654, 16022, 12674, and 12672. Through these arrangements, approximately 750 passengers, including EMU passengers,  were  safely  transhipped  from  AJJ  to  Avadi  (AVD), Ambattur  (ABU),  and  Chennai,  ensuring  minimal  inconvenience
2. during the disruption. At Katpadi (KPD), 23 State Government buses were  deployed  to  facilitate  the  movement  of  passengers  from multiple affected trains, including Train Nos. 12686, 12696, 12608, 22641,  22698,  12680,  12028,  12698,  12295,  22305,  18189,  and 22638. These arrangements enabled around 1,500 passengers to be transported from KPD to Chennai, with drop-off points organized at Koyambedu Bus Stand for onward connectivity.
- ii. Catering  services:  Around  1500  numbers  of  water  bottles  and snacks were distributed to the passengers of the short-terminated trains at AJJ and KPD.
- iii. EMU  Services:  In  addition  to  bus  bridging  services,  seven  EMU trains  were  operated  via  the  AJJ-CJ-CGL  route  as  an  alternative diversionary measure. This arrangement  benefited over 3,000 passengers,  providing  safe  and  convenient  travel  options  despite the operational challenges.
- iv. Connection through Vande Bharat Express: Train No.20644 Vande Bharat  Express  (CBE  to  MAS)  was  operated  via  diverted  route  of CGL,  AJJ  so  as  to  connect  the  trains  which  started  from  AJJ (Partially cancelled between MAS &AJJ) viz, Trivandrum mail (MAS -TVC)Train No.12623 and Shatabdi Express (MAS-SBC) Train No.12027.
6. disseminate information,  help  desks  were  established  at  Control  Room  and across important stations viz., MAS, MS, KPD, JTJ, TRT, AJJ, CGL
- v. Help desks: To manage passenger needs and and GDR.
- vi. Additional counters: Additional counters were operated at MAS, MS with increased number of staff for  managing the excessive crowd approaching  for  refunds,  as  17  trains  were  cancelled,  34  trains

were diverted and 4 trains originated from AJJ/KPD instead of MAS. A total refund to the tune of Rs.1.5 cr was made in PRS counters. Apart from these, full refunds of around Rs.80,000/- were made to unreserved passengers.

Immediate  steps  were  taken  by  Southern  Railway  to  contain  the damage from the incident and work towards restoration. Restoration of traffic was completed on 13.07.2025. While the Down slow line was restored  at  21:25  hrs  on  13.07.2025  and  the  Up  slow  line  were restored  at  00:47  hrs  on  14.07.2025.  Down  and  Up  fast  lines  were restored at 23:50 hrs on 14.07.2025.

To  ensure  safety  of  track,  inspection,  maintenance  and  renewal  of track  is  accorded  the  utmost  priority  in  Indian  Railways.  There  are well-laid  down  inspection  and  monitoring  schedules  and  guidelines stipulated  in  Indian  Railways  manuals  for  the  same.  These  are adhered  to  strictly  and  records  are  maintained.  These  records  are permanent and are crosschecked by designated authorities. To ensure safety  of  track,  multiple  inspection  schedules  have  been  prescribed for  all  components  of  track  structure  at  various  levels.  Findings  in inspections  are  followed  up  and  necessary  action  taken  well  within time  for  upkeep,  maintenance  and  renewal  before  any  defect  can occur. Inspections, monitoring and rectification as above are integral part  of  the  duty  and  responsibility  of  permanent  way  engineers  of Indian Railways.

'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, as such, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation  of  crime  and  maintaining  law  and  order  etc.  on  Indian

Railways  through  their  law  enforcement  agencies  viz.  Government Railway  Police  (GRP)/District  Police.  However,  Railway  Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for  matters  connected  therewith  and  in  order  to  prevent  incident  of sabotage  over  Indian  Railways,  following  steps  are  being  taken  by Indian Railways:-

- i. Regular  State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR) meetings  are  being  conducted,  which  have  been  constituted  in each State under the chairmanship of Director Generals/Commissioners  of  Police of respective States/Union territory  with  representatives  of  RPF,  GRP  and  Intelligence  units. Further,  close  liaison  is  made  by  RPF  with  the  State  Police/GRP authorities at all levels to control crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of Law & Order in Railway premises as well as on running trains with focus on sabotage incidents and sharing  of  intelligence.  Effective  steps  are  being  undertaken  to prevent such incidents.
- ii. Besides Central & State Intelligence agencies, Intelligence Units of RPF  i.e.  Crime  Intelligence  Branch  (CM)  &  Special  Intelligence Branch (SIB) have been sensitized and instructed to collect intelligence and take necessary action in coordination with Police authorities for detection and prevention of sabotage attempts.
- iii. Frequent patrolling of identified black spots and vulnerable sections are being done by Railwaymen, RPF, GRP & Civil Police
- iv. Regular  drives  are  conducted  to  remove  material  lying  near  the railway  tracks,  which  can  potentially  be  used  by  miscreants  for putting obstructive those materials on the track.
- v. The people living near railway tracks are being sensitized about the consequences of putting foreign material on tracks, removing rail components etc. and are requested to keep watch and report any suspected activity immediately.
- vi. Special  teams  are  formed  to  patrol  high  risk  areas,  vulnerable sections and sharing of intelligence to mitigate threats effectively.

Carriage of goods by Indian Railways is done under the provisions of the  Railways  Act,  1989.  In  exercise  of  the  powers  conferred  by Sections 67 and  87  of the Act, conditions for  conveyance  of dangerous  goods  over  Indian  Railways  have  been  notified  by  the Government.  These  include  comprehensive  safety  measures  for carriage of dangerous goods and are to be compulsorily followed for ensuring safety in transporting such goods over Indian Railways.

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  Indian  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 when a decree is awarded by Hon'ble RCT in favor of the claimant and Railways decide to  implement  the  decree.  Immediately  upon  the  occurrence  of  the incident,  Indian  Railways  controlled  the  movement  of  trains  such that no passenger suffered any injury or loss of property directly due to  the  incident.  Therefore  no  claim  for  compensation  from  train passengers can arise under the Act.

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