Lok Sabha Question No. 2860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Frequent Railway Accidents and Collisions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2860 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## FREQUENT RAILWAY ACCIDENTS AND COLLISIONS

2860. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway accidents and collisions happened during the last three years in the country;
- (b) the number of lives lost during such accidents;
- (c) whether  the  railway  authorities  conducted  thorough  enquiries  for  the reasons of such accidents and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Railway fixed the responsibilities for such accidents against any railway officers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the anti-collision system has been introduced nationwide and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e):  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.

Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:-

| Year                | Consequential Accidents   |
|---------------------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15             | 135                       |
| 2025-26 (till date) | 11 (90% lesser)           |

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accidents Index, the details of which are as under:Consequential Accident Index:

| Year    | Accident Index    |
|---------|-------------------|
| 2014-15 | 0.11              |
| 2024-25 | 0.03 (73% lesser) |

This  index  measures  number  of  consequential  accidents  as  a  ratio  of  total running Kilometers of all trains.

No. of consequential accidents Accident Index= No. of trains X million kilometers run

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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 |
|----------------------|-------|-------|---------|
| 2024-25              |    31 |    18 |      92 |

Each Rail accident is inquired into either by the Commission of Railway Safety, a statutory body under Ministry of Civil Aviation or by the Railway Departmental Inquiry  Committee  as  per  laid  down  norms.  As  per  the  inquiry  reports,  the causes  of  the  accidents  that  occurred  during  the  last  three  years  broadly include  track  defects,  loco/coach  defects,  equipment  failures,  human  errors etc.

The  agencies,  after  due  deliberations  submit  their  findings  and  establish  the responsibility  of  officers/staff  leading  to  the  rail  accidents.  The  officers/staff held  responsible  are  taken  up  under  'Railway  Service  (Disciplinary  &  Appeal) Rules' by the respective Zonal 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:-
2. Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  Systems  with  centralized  operation  of points and signals have been provided at 6,656 stations up to 31.10.2025 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,098 Level Crossing Gates up to 31.10.2025 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 6,661 stations up to 31.10.2025.
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. Initially,  Kavach  Version  3.2 was deployed on 1465 RKm of South Central Railway and 80 RKm of North Central Railway. Kavach specification Version 4.0  was  approved  by  RDSO  on  16.07.2024.  After  extensive  and  elaborate trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0has  been  successfully  commissioned  on  PalwalMathura-Kota-Nagda  section  (633Rkm)  on  Delhi-  Mumbai  route  and    on Howrah-Bardhaman  section  (105RKm)  on  Delhi-Howrah  route.  Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah route. Further, Kavach implementation has been taken up on 15,512  RKm  covering  all  GQ,  GD,  HDN  and  identified  sections  of  Indian Railways.
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  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.

| Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                                                        | 2022-23                                                        | 2023-24                                                        | 2024-25                                                        | 2025-26                                                        |
| (Act.)                                                         | (Act.)                                                         | (Act.)                                                         |                                                                |                                                                |
| 39,463                                                         | 87,327                                                         | 1,01,651                                                       | 1,14,022                                                       | 1,16,470                                                       |

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:-

Nearly

| S.No.   | Item                                   | 2004-05 to 2013-14         | 2014-15 to 2024-25   | 2014-25 Vs. 2004-14   |
|---------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
|         | 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                      |

## Implementation of Kavach:-

1. Kavach  is  an  indigenously  developed  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 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.
4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
5. 5.
6. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:-
7. a.
8. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.
9. b.
10. c.
11. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
12. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
- d. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- e. Provision  of  Loco  Kavach  on  each  and  every  Locomotive  running  on Indian Railways.
6. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 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,  IR  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, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 738 Route km on Palwal - Mathura- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi - Mumbai route and Howrah-Bardhaman section
19. (105 Rkm) Delhi - Howrah route. Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of Delhi - Mumbai & Delhi - Howrah corridors.
10. Progress  of  key  items  of  Kavach  on  High  density  routes  including  DelhiMumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:-
11. Further,  track  side  Kavach  implementation  work  has  been  taken  up  on 15,512  RKm  covering  all  GQ,  GD,  HDN  and  identified  sections  of  Indian Railways.
12. Bids  have  been  invited  for  equipping  another  9,069  locomotives  with Kavach  version4.0.  Kavach  is  being  provided  progressively  in  a  phased manner in locomotives.
13. 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  40,000  technicians,  operators  and engineers  have  been  trained  on  Kavach  technology.  This  includes  30,000 Loco  Pilots  &  Assistant  Loco  Pilots.  Courses  have  been  designed  in collaboration with IRISET.
14. The fund utilized on Kavach works so far up to Oct'25 is Rs. 2,354.36 Crore. The  allocation  of  funds  during  the  year  2025-26  is  Rs.  1673.19  Crores. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.

| S. No.   | Item                                 | Progress    |
|----------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| I.       | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 7,129 Km    |
| II.      | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 860 Nos     |
| III.     | Station Data Centre                  | 767Stations |
| IV.      | Installation of Track side equipment | 5,672RKm    |
| V.       | Provision of Kavach on Locos         | 4,154       |

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