Lok Sabha Question No. 920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: '52 Reforms in 52 Weeks' Programme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao, Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 920

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## '52 REFORMS IN 52 WEEKS' PROGRAMME

## 920. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI NAVASKANI K:

SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI SELVAM G:

SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether '52 reforms in 52 weeks' programme includes specific targets for  improving  passenger  safety  and  service  delivery  in  the  country including Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether reported national decline in consequential train accidents has resulted in improved safety outcomes on railway routes in Tamil Nadu and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  particularly  focus  on  improvements  in operational efficiency governance, transparency and service delivery;
- (c) whether Gross Budgetary Support and capital expenditure incurred by Indian  Railways  have  led  to  proportionate  allocation  of  new  train services,  track  renewal  and  station  redevelopment  projects  in  Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  Kavach automatic train  protection  has been  implemented  on high-density  and  high-risk  routes  in  Tamil  Nadu  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and timelines for pending coverage;
- (e)  whether  the  Union  Government has  held  consultations with  the  State Government of Tamil Nadu to address unmet railway infrastructure and service requirements and if so, the details thereof;
- (f)  whether  any  independent  assessment  or  performance  audit  has  been conducted by the government to evaluate the impact of these reforms and if so, the details thereof; and

- (g) the steps taken/being taken to institutionalise these reforms on a long term basis and to ensure sustained improvements  in efficiency, governance and passenger satisfaction?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (g): Indian Railways has planned to carry out 52 Reforms during 2026 relating to various areas such as customer service, maintenance of assets, train operations, passenger amenities, rolling stock production and quality, construction quality, health services, adoption of new technology etc., with the objective of bringing systemic improvements in efficiency, governance and service delivery.

The reforms would place a strong focus on safety through better training, disciplined operations, technology deployment and continuous monitoring. The initiative also envisages accelerated adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, modern Signaling, new generation  rolling  stock  and  smarter  maintenance  practices,  alongside  a fundamental  upgradation  of  maintenance  standards  to  ensure  long-term safety and reliability.

Reforms  in  training  and  talent  management  through  continuous  skill upgradation, use of simulators and digital platforms, and linkage of training with  career  progression,  while  major  improvements  are  planned  in  food quality, catering and onboard passenger services.

## Safety

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 below:-

| Year                | Consequential Accidents   |
|---------------------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15             | 135                       |
| 2025-26 (Till date) | 12 (90% lesser)           |

2025-26

<!-- image -->

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accidents Index. This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running Kilometers of all trains.

Accident Index   =

No. of consequential accidents

## The details are as under:

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

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:-

No. of trains

X million kilometers run

| Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (₹ in Crore)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (₹ in Crore)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (₹ in Crore)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (₹ in Crore)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (₹ in Crore)   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                                                        | 2022-23                                                        | 2023-24                                                        | 2024-25                                                        | 2025-26                                                        |
| 39,200                                                         | 87,336                                                         | 1,01,662                                                       | 1,14,022                                                       | 1,17,693                                                       |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,660 stations up to 31.12.2025 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at  10,097 Level Crossing Gates up to 31.12.2025 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  6,665 stations up to 31.12.2025.
5. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Signaling,  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.
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).
3. 16.
4. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout
6. renewal works.
18. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate
8. 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.
13. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have
23. 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.
17. 26.
18. 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 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      |

Contd...7/-

|   Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock | 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:

- i. 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).
- ii. 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.
- iii. 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.
- iv. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
- v. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:
- a. Installation  of  Station  Kavach  at  each  and  every  station,  block 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.
- vi. 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.
- vii. 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.
- viii. 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.
- ix. After  extensive  and  elaborate  trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0  has  been successfully commissioned on 1297 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi - Mumbai and Delhi - Howrah routes. On the Delhi - Mumbai route Kavach ver 4.0 has been commissioned on Junction cabin - Palwal - Mathura - Nagda section (667 Rkm) & Ahmedabad - Vadodara - Virar section  (432    Rkm)  and  on  the  Delhi  -  Howrah  route  on  Gaya  Saramatanr (93 Rkm) and Bardhaman - Howrah section (105 Rkm).
- x. Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 23,360 RKM covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. These sections also pass through the State of Tamil Nadu.
- xi. Progress of key items of Kavach on High density routes including  DelhiMumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:

| S N   | Item                           | Progress   |
|-------|--------------------------------|------------|
| i     | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable  | 8570 Km    |
| ii    | Installation of Telecom Towers | 938 nos    |

| Iii   | Station Data Centre                  | 767 station   |
|-------|--------------------------------------|---------------|
| iv    | Installation of Track side equipment | 5672 RKm      |
| v     | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4154          |

- xii. Tender has been finalised for equipping 6,300 Electric Locomotives with Kavach  version  4.0  and  another  tender  for  equipping  2,679  Diesel Locomotives is under finalisation.
- xiii. 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 48,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes about 45,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.

## Tamil Nadu

Budget allocation  in  the  recent  years  has  increased  significantly.  Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under:

| Period   | Outlay                              |
|----------|-------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | ₹879 crore/year                     |
| 2025-26  | ₹ 6,626 crore (more than 7.5 times) |

As  on  01.04.2025,  15  projects  (09  new  line,  03  gauge  conversion  and  03 doubling) of 1,700 km length, costing ₹22,808 Crore, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu, are sanctioned.  The summary is as under:-

| Category   |   No. of sanctioned projects |   Total Length (in km) |   Length Commissioned upto Mar'25 (in km) | Expenditure upto Mar' 25 (₹ in Cr.)   |
|------------|------------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| New Line   |                            9 |                    812 |                                        24 | 1,337                                 |

| Gauge               |   3 | 748   |   604 | 3,471   |
|---------------------|-----|-------|-------|---------|
| Conversion Doubling |   3 | 140   |    37 | 2,783   |
| Total               |  15 | 1,700 |   665 | 7,591   |

## Details  of  some  of  the  recently  completed  projects  falling  fully/partly  in Tamil Nadu are as under:

|   S. N. | Project                                                              | Cost (₹in Crores)   |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|       1 | Dindigal-Palani-Pollachi gauge conversion (121 km)                   | 610                 |
|       2 | Pollachi-Palghat gauge conversion (56 km)                            | 350                 |
|       3 | Pollachi-Podhanur gauge conversion (40 km)                           | 400                 |
|       4 | Quilon-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur gauge conversion (357 km)             | 1,122               |
|       5 | Mayiladuturai-Thiruvarur-Karaikkudi gauge conversion (187 km)        | 1,338               |
|       6 | Madurai-Bodiyakannur gauge conversion (90 km)                        | 593                 |
|       7 | Chengalpattu-Villupuram doubling (102 km)                            | 670                 |
|       8 | Tiruvallur-Arakkonam 4th line (27 km)                                | 83                  |
|       9 | Chennai Central-Basin Bridge doubling (2 km)                         | 31                  |
|      10 | Thanjavur-Ponmalai doubling (48 km)                                  | 370                 |
|      11 | Villupuram-Dindigul doubling (273 km)                                | 2,000               |
|      12 | Chennai Beach-Korukkupet 3rd line (5 km)                             | 168                 |
|      13 | Chennai Beach-Attipattu 4th line (22 km)                             | 293                 |
|      14 | Omalur-Metturdam Patch doubling (29 km)                              | 327                 |
|      15 | Chengalpattu-Villupuram and Tambaram- Chengalpattu-3rd line (133 km) | 1,122               |
|      16 | Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur doubling (11 km)                     | 115                 |
|      17 | Madurai- Maniyachi-Tuticorin doubling (160 km)                       | 1,891               |
|      18 | Maniyachi-Nagercoil doubling (102 km)                                | 1,752               |
|      19 | Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore doubling (4 km)                         | 272                 |
|      20 | Karaikal-Peralam new line (23 km)                                    | 373                 |
|      21 | Northern End Port connectivity to Karaikal Port (1 km)               | 18                  |

Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu which have been taken up are as under:

|   S.N. | Project                                                       | Cost (₹ in Crores)   |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
|      1 | Tindivanam-Nagari new line (184 km)                           | 3,631                |
|      2 | Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km)                          | 359                  |
|      3 | Nagapattinam-Tiruturaipundi new line (43 km)                  | 742                  |
|      4 | Trivandrum-Kanyakumari doubling (87 km)                       | 3,785                |
|      5 | Arakkonam yard 3rd & 4th line (6 km)                          | 98                   |
|      6 | Perambur and Ambattur stations 5th & 6th lines project (6 Km) | 178                  |

In last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial year 2025-26, 29 surveys (06 new line and 23 doubling) covering a total length of 2,501 km has been sanctioned falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Execution  of  important  infrastructure  projects  falling  fully/partly  in  the State of Tamil Nadu are held up due to delay in land acquisition. Status of land acquisition in Tamil Nadu is as under:

| Total Land required for Projects in Tamil Nadu   | 4,326 ha       |
|--------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| Land Acquired                                    | 1,052 ha (24%) |
| Balance Land to be acquired                      | 3,274 ha (76%) |

Support of the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite the land acquisition.

Details of some major projects which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:-

|   S. N. | Name of the project                        |   Total land required (in ha) |   Land acquired (in ha) |   Balance Land to be acquired (in ha) |
|---------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|       1 | Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai new line (71 km) |                           276 |                      33 |                                   243 |
|       2 | Attiputtu-Puttur new line (88 km)          |                           189 |                       0 |                                   189 |
|       3 | Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km)       |                            92 |                      45 |                                    47 |

Contd...12/-

|   4. | Mannargudi-Pattukkottai new line (41 km)   |   196 | 0 196   |
|------|--------------------------------------------|-------|---------|
|    5 | Thanjavur-Pattukottai new line (52 km)     |   152 | 0 152   |

Further, Rameshwaram - Dhanushkodi new line (18 km) was sanctioned at a  cost  of  ₹734  Cr.  The  Foundation  Stone  of  the  project  was  laid  on 01.03.2019.  However,  the  project  could  not  be  started  because  the  land acquisition has not been undertaken by the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

Government  of  India  is  geared  up  to  execute  projects,  however  success depends upon the support of Government of Tamil Nadu.

Sanction  of  any  railway  project  depends  upon  many  parameters/factors which include the following:

-  Anticipated traffic projections and remunerativeness of the proposed route
-  First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
-  Connection of missing links and providing additional route
-  Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
-  Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public representatives
-  Railway's own operational requirements
-  Socio-economic considerations
-  Overall availability of funds

Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:

-  Land acquisition by State Government
-  Forest clearance
-  Shifting of infringing utilities
-  Statutory clearances from various authorities
-  Geological and topographical conditions of area
-  Law and order situation in the area of project site
-  Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.

All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.

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