Lok Sabha Question No. 6068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Funds for Railway Safety
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6068

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## FUNDS FOR RAILWAY SAFETY

## 6068. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  allocation  of  funds  for  railway  safety  and  the  actual expenditure  there  against  during  the  last  five  years,  year-wise  and  in the ongoing fiscal year;
- (b)  the  details  of  vacant  posts  as  on  date  particularly  in  technical  and safety-related roles (e.g., loco pilots) and measures taken to fill them up to ensure that staff is not overworked;
- (c) the current status of safety infrastructure including track maintenance, signalling systems and modernisation of coaches in quantifiable terms; and
- (d) the steps taken to enhance overall passenger safety including progress and  timelines  for  the  implementation  of  the  'Kavach'  automatic  train protection system across all railway zones in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a), (c) & (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.

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

| Year                      | Consequential Accidents   |
|---------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15                   | 135                       |
| 2025-26 (upto 25.03.2026) | 15 (89% lesser)           |

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

| Year                        | Accident Index    |
|-----------------------------|-------------------|
| 2014-15                     | 0.11              |
| 2024-25                     | 0.03 (73% lesser) |
| 2025-26(upto February 2026) | 0.01              |

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

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

2025-26

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The various safety measures, including track maintenance, modernization of  coaches  and  signalling  system,  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  6,665  stations  up  to 28.02.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,153 Level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  28.02.2026  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 6,669 stations up to 28.02.2026.
5. 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.
6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
8. 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.
9. 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.

| Year    | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. In Cr.)   |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 | 39,200                                                         |
| 2022-23 | 87,336                                                         |
| 2023-24 | 1,01,662                                                       |
| 2024-25 | 1,14,022                                                       |
| 2025-26 | 1,17,693                                                       |
| 2026-27 | 1,20,389                                                       |

10. 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.
11. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.
12. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby improving safety.
13. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
14. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.,  Flash  Butt Welding.
15. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
16. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout
9. renewal works.
18. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
19. 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.
20. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track,  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued.
21. Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
22. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB  design coaches is being done.
23. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG)  route have been eliminated by January 2019.

24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
28. 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         | 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                        | As on                      | As on                      | 288 times                  |

|    | Devices (Nos.)                                            | 31.03.14: 90 Nos.                       | 31.03.25: 25,939 Nos.                           |                                         |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 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                      |

Strengthening, upgradation, modernisation and improvement of Signalling infrastructure  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing  process over  Indian  Railways. Indian  Railway  is  continuously  modernizing  current  infrastructure  of  its signalling system as under:

1. Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  Systems  with  centralized  operation points  and  signals  in  place  of  old  mechanical  signalling  have  been provided  at  6665  stations  as  on  28.02.2026,  out  of  which  Electronic Interlocking have been provided at 3870 stations.
2. Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates (LC) has been provided at 10153 Level Crossing Gates upto 28.02.2026 for enhancing safety at LC Gate.

3. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of  track  occupancy  by  electrical  means  has  been  provided  at  6,665
2. stations up to 28.02.2026.
4. Axle counters for automatic clearance of Block Section, BPAC (Block Proving Axle Counter) are provided to ensure complete arrival of train without manual intervention before granting line clear to receive next train and to reduce human element. These systems have been provided on 6149 Block Sections up to 28.02.2026.
5. 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.
6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. Rolling block system for maintenance of assets has been introduced to increase their reliability.
8. Regular inspection and maintenance of all railway signalling assets is carried out as per laid down norms to ensure safe operation of trains. These are regularly monitored through designated officials in divisions across zonal railways.
9. Staff are regularly counselled and trained.

## Kavach Implementation

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. 4.
5. 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
8. section.

- b. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- c. 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  1638  Route  Kilometres,  covering  the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:

| SN   | Section                                          | Progress (Route Km)   |
|------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| (1)  | Delhi-Mumbai route:                              | Delhi-Mumbai route:   |
| i    | Junction cabin - Palwal - Mathura -Nagda section | 667                   |
| ii   | Vadodara - Ahmedabad section                     | 96                    |
| iii  | Vadodara - Virar section                         | 336                   |
| (2)  | Delhi - Howrah route:                            | Delhi - Howrah route: |
| i    | Gaya Sarmatanr section                           | 93                    |
| ii   | Chota Ambana - Bardhaman - Howrah section        | 260                   |
| iii  | Subedarganj-Kanpur                               | 186                   |

10. Track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 RKM  covering  all  GQ,  GD,  HDN  and  identified  sections  of  Indian Railways.
11. Progress  of  key  items  of  Kavach  on  High  density  routes  including Delhi- Mumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors as on 25.03.26 are as under:
12. In  addition,  work  for  installation  of  Kavach  in  8979  Locomotives  and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up.
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 61,758 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes  about  52,317  Loco  Pilots  &  Assistant  Loco  Pilots.  Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
5. (b):   Recruitment:

| SN   | Item                                 | Progress    |
|------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 8923 Km     |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 1184 nos    |
| iii  | Station Data Centre                  | 767 station |
| iv   | Installation of Track side equipment | 7165 RKm    |
| v    | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4277 nos    |

Loco  Pilots  are  important  members  of  Indian  Railway  family  who  play pivotal  role  for  moving  passenger  and  goods  traffic  in  safe  and  efficient manner. Indian Railways is committed to ensure proper working conditions for  loco  pilots.  Indian  Railways recruit Assistant Loco Pilots on a regular basis considering the vacancy position. Keeping in view train operation and retirement of staff, new positions are opened up for recruitment.

The details of filling up vacancies of Assistant Loco Pilots are as follow:

|   Year | Details regarding recruitment for the post of Assistant Loco Pilots                                             |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2024 | 18,799 vacancies were notified. Selection process already completed and 15,873 candidates empanelled till date. |
|   2025 | 9,970 vacancies were notified; First stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) have been completed.                     |
|   2026 | 11,127 vacancies as per Annual Calendar 2026 have been notified in March 2026.                                  |

Recruitment  done  in  Indian  Railways  during  2004-05  to  2013-14  vis-à-vis during 2014-15 to 2025-26 is given as under: -

| Period                 | Recruitments   |
|------------------------|----------------|
| 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 | 4.11 lakh      |
| 2014-2015 to 2024-2025 | 5.08 lakh      |
| 2025-26 - till date    | 43,230         |

Occurrence and filling up of vacancies are continuous processes on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation.  Adequate  and  suitable manpower is  provided  to  cater  to  the regular  operations,  changes  in  technology, mechanisations and  innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements.

The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization  of  men  and  resources  and  training  of manpower.  Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process.

Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system  of  publishing  the  Annual  Calendar  from  2024  for  recruitment  to various  categories  of  Group  'C'  posts.  The  introduction  of  the  Annual Calendar is benefitting the aspirants in the following manner:

-  More opportunities for candidates;
-  Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;
-  Certainty of exams;
-  Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments

Presently, recruitment against 1,54,213 vacancies of non-gazetted personnel  has  been  taken  up  on  Indian  Railways  as per  Annual Calendar 2024, 2025 and 2026.

During January to December 2024, ten Centralized Employment Notifications  (CENs)  for 92,116  vacancies  were  notified  for  filling  up  of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables  in  Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF),  Junior  Engineers  (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate), Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial &  Isolated  Categories  and  Level-1  categories  such  as  Assistants,  Track Maintainers and Pointsman.

First  Stage/Single  stage  Computer  Based  Tests  (CBTs)  for 92,116  posts have been completed.  Details are as under: -

| Exam                                                                                  | Candidates   | Cities   | Languages   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|----------|-------------|
| 1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies)                                  | 18,40,347    | 156      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of Technician (14,298 vacancies)                                     | 26,99,892    | 139      | 15          |
| 1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)                            | 11,01,266    | 146      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 vacancies)                                            | 15,35,635    | 143      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of RPF-Constable (4,208 vacancies)                                   | 45,30,288    | 147      | 15          |
| CBT for Paramedical Categories (1,376 vacancies)                                      | 7,08,321     | 143      | 15          |
| 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies)       | 58,41,774    | 141      | 15          |
| 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) (3,445 vacancies) | 63,27,473    | 157      | 15          |
| CBT for Ministerial & Isolated categories (1,036 vacancies)                           | 4,46,013     | 139      | 15          |
| CBT for level-1 posts (32438 vacancies)                                               | 1,08,28,261  | 152      | 15          |
| Total Candidates                                                                      | 3,58,59,270  |          |             |

2nd stage  CBTs  for  the  posts  of  ALP,  JE/DMS/CMA  and  Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate & Under-Graduate) have also been completed.  Details are as under: -

| Exam                                                                                  | Candidates   | Cities   | Languages   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|----------|-------------|
| 2nd Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies)                                  | 2,66,363     | 112      | 15          |
| 2nd Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)                            | 1,17,339     | 118      | 15          |
| 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies)       | 1,21,931     | 129      | 15          |
| 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate) (3,445 vacancies) | 51,978       | 79       | 15          |
| Total Candidates                                                                      | 5,57,611     |          |             |

Computer  Based  Aptitude  Test  (CBAT)  for  the  post  of  ALP  and NonTechnical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Computer based Skill Test for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Under Graduate) and Ministerial & Isolated Categories have also been completed. Details are as under: -

| Exam                                                                                                             | Candidates   | Cities   | Languages   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|----------|-------------|
| CBAT for the post of ALP                                                                                         | 1,32,044     | 84       | 2           |
| Translation Test for Ministerial and Isolated Categories                                                         | 1,233        | 8        | 2           |
| CBAT for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate)                                                 | 13,616       | 38       | 2           |
| Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the post of Non-Technical                                           | 30,341       | 58       | 2           |
| Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate-level) | 13,145       | 44       | 2           |
| Total Candidates                                                                                                 | 1,90,379     |          |             |

Panels  for  more  than 43,000  candidates  for  various  posts  including  the posts  of  Technicians,  Junior  Engineers,  Paramedical  Categories,  SubInspectors & Constable (RPF) and Assistant Loco Pilots have been finalised.  Majority of them are in safety categories.

In  addition,  as  per  Annual  Calendar  for  the  year  2025, nine Centralized Employment  Notifications  (CENs)  for 50,970  vacancies  have also  been issued. Details are as under:

| CEN No.   | Post Name                                                                               | No. of Vacancies notified   | Month of Notification   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
| 01/2025   | Assistant Loco Pilots                                                                   | 9,970                       | March 2025              |
| 02/2025   | Technician                                                                              | 6,238                       | June 2025               |
| 03/2025   | Paramedical categories                                                                  | 434                         | July 2025               |
| 04/2025   | Section Controller                                                                      | 368                         | August 2025             |
| 05/2025   | Junior Engineer (JE)/ Depot Material Superintendent/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant | 2,585                       | October 2025            |
|           | Non-Technical Popular                                                                   | 5,810                       | October 2025            |
| 07/2025   | Non-Technical Popular (Under-Graduate)                                                  | 3,058                       | Categories October 2025 |
| 08/2025   | Isolated Categories                                                                     | 312                         | December 2025           |
| 09/2025   | Level-1 posts                                                                           | 22,195                      | December 2025           |
| Total     | Total                                                                                   | 50,970                      |                         |

First  stage/Single  stage  Computer  Based  Tests  (CBTs)  for 19,595 posts have been completed.  Details are as under: -

| Exam                                                       | Candidates   | Cities   | Languages   |
|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|----------|-------------|
| 1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (9970 vacancies)         | 10,03,719    | 141      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of Section Controller (368 vacancies)     | 4,33,748     | 131      | 15          |
| 1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (2585 vacancies)  | 5,74,351     | 133      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of Technician (6238 vacancies)            | 8,41,525     | 117      | 15          |
| CBT for the post of Paramedical Categories (434 vacancies) | 3,19,396     | 106      | 15          |
| Total Candidates                                           | 31,72,739    |          |             |

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