Lok Sabha Question No. 6194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Passenger Safety in Trains and Railway Premises
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6194 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## PASSENGER SAFETY IN TRAINS AND RAILWAY PREMISES

## 6194. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  incidents  affecting  the safety and security of passengers in trains and if so, the details thereof including  the  number  of  such  incidents  reported  during  the  last  three years;
- (b) whether  any new  safety measures  and  technologies have been introduced in trains and railway premises to enhance passenger safety and if so, the present status of their implementation;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  strengthened  coordination  between  the RPF,  GRP  and  State  authorities  to  ensure  passenger  safety  and  that joint initiatives are undertaken and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  additional  measures such as women's safety initiatives, helplines, mobile applications/emergency  response  systems  in  trains  and  if  so,  the details thereof along with the timeline for their implementation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

*****

- (a) to (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 | 2025-26(upto February, 2026) 0.01 |

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

Accident Index   =

No. of consequential accidents

No. of trains X million kilometers run

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## 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:-

| Year    | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| 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                                                  |

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. Indian Railways has gone for implementation of indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which required safety certification  of  highest  order  (SIL  4).  Kavach  has  been  adopted  as  a National  ATP  system  in  July  2020.  Based  on  deployment  of  Kavach version  3.2  on  1,465  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.  After  extensive  and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned  on  1,638  Route  Kilometres,  covering  the  high  density Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:

| S.No.   | 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                   |

Further,  track  side  Kavach  implementation  work  has  been  taken  up  on 24,427  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.

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                     | Nil                        | 28,301 Nos.                 |                            |

|    | (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                      |

The design of rolling stock is done duly considering various safety provisions and  passenger  amenities  etc  in  the  coach.  Further,  modification  and  up gradation  of  coaches  to  enhance  safety  and  amenities  is  a  continuous  and

ongoing process on Indian Railways (IR). Following measures have been taken with regard to improving safety in coaches:

- i. Provision of Minimum two Fire Extinguishers in all coaches over Indian Railways.
- ii. Fire  Detection  &  Suppression  System  has  been  provided  in  fire  prone areas of Power cars and Pantry cars.
- iii. Fire and smoke Detection system has been provided in coaches as per extant guidelines.
- iv. Water  mist  type  fire  suppression  system  is  being  provided  on  pantry cars and power cars in phased manner.
- v. Provision of emergency windows in coaches for  evacuation in case of
6. fire.
- vi. Use  of  Fire-retardant  material  as  per  global  fire-retardant  norms  in coaches  for  seats/berths,  panels,  flooring,  insulation,  toilets  etc  for improved fire safety.
- vii. Use of fire retardant E-beam cable in coaches.
- viii. Use of different level of protection in the form of fuses, Miniature Circuit breaker  (MCBs)  and  Motor  protection  Circuit  Breakers  (MPCBs)  in  the electrical circuits to prevent the damage from electrical faults/surges.
- ix. Provision of Aerosol based fire suppression system  in electrical cabinets.
- x. Further, up-gradation  of material in line with global standards  is regularly  being  carried  out  with  fitment  of  new  generation  material  in Amrit Bharat & Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.
- xi. Display  of  "Fire  Notices"  for  widespread  information  in  all  coaches  to inform  and  alert  passengers  regarding  various  "Do's"  and  "Don'ts"  to prevent  fire.  These  include  messages  regarding  not  to  carry  any inflammable  material,  explosives,  prohibition  of  smoking  inside  the coaches and penalties etc.

## xii. Prohibition of flame based cooking in coaches.

'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the  Constitution  of  India.  Therefore,  State  Governments  are  responsible  for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and maintenance of law and order on Railways.

State Governments maintain law & order through Government Railway Police (GRP) and District Police.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security to railway property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

The numbers of incidents reported of crime against passengers in Railways are published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). This data is used for analysis and to formulate deployment plans in coordination with the GRP.

The  following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in  coordination  with GRP/Local  Police  for  safety  and  security  of  passengers(including  women passengers)  in trains and at stations:-

- i. RailMadad  is  Indian  Railways  grievance  redressal  mechanism  that provides passengers an integrated platform for grievances, assistance and  inquiry.  In  RailMadad,  passengers  can  seek  redressal  through multiple  channels  such  as  Helpline  number-139,  RailMadad  Web,  App and SMS. RailMadad also allows passengers to share feedback on the resolution of their grievances.'
- ii. Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras  provided  in  number  of coaches and railway stations for enhanced security of passengers.

- iii. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to educate passengers on precautionary measures for their safety and security.
- iv. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media  platforms  like.  Twitter,  Facebook,  etc.  to  enhance  security  of passengers and to address their security concerns.
- v. With a view to strengthening the surveillance mechanism at sensitive railway stations, an Integrated Security System  (ISS) has been installed,  comprising  a  Closed  Circuit  Television  (CCTV)  surveillance system  with  analytical  features,  access  control,  personal  baggage screening systems, Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMDs),  Bomb detection  systems,  drone-based  surveillance  and  vehicle  scanning systems (UVSS). Sniffer dogs are also deployed across different Zonal Railways for detection of explosives.
- vi. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by the Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  in  addition  to  those  escorted  by  the Government  Railway  Police  (GRP)  of  various  States.  Zonal  Railways have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  an  appropriate  combined strength  of  male  and  female  RPF/RPSF  personnel  in  train  escort parties, to the extent possible.
- vii. The present strength of women personnel in RPF is 9.71 percent which is highest amongst  the CAPFs in India.
- viii. 'Meri Saheli' initiative has been launched with an objective to provide enhanced  safety  and  security  to  lady  passengers  travelling  alone  in long  distance  trains  for  their  entire  journey  i.e.  from  the  originating station to destination station. Dedicated teams of lady RPF personnel have been formed for its implementation.
- ix. Drives  are  conducted  to  restrict  entry  of  male  passengers  into  the compartments  reserved  for  ladies  and  the  offenders  are  prosecuted under relevant law.

- x. A  reservation  quota  of  six  berths  in  sleeper  class  in  long  distance Mail/Express trains and a reservation quota of six berths in 3AC class of  Garib  Rath/Rajdhani/Duronto/fully air-conditioned  Express  trains  for female  passengers  irrespective  of  their  age  travelling  alone  or  in  a group of female passengers.
- xi. A combined reservation quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in  Sleeper  class,  four  to  five  lower  berths  per  coach  each  in  Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes (depending on the number of coaches of  that  class  in  the  train)  for  senior  citizens,  female  passengers  45 years of age and above and pregnant women.
- xii. Second  class  accommodation  for  women  in  the  second  Class-cum Luggage-cum  Guard's  Coach  (SLR)  in  most  of  the  long  distance Mail/Express trains.
- xiii. Exclusive unreserved coaches/compartments for female passengers in EMU  (Electrical  Multiple  Unit)/DMU  (Diesel  Multiple  Unit)/MMTS(Multi Modal  Transport  System)  trains  &  local  passenger  trains  depending upon demand pattern as well as availability of accommodation.
- xiv. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted  for  all  State/Union  Territories  under  the  Chairmanship  of respective  Director  General  of  Police/Commissioner  of  States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.
- xv. Biannual  Conferences  of  GRP  Chief  with  Ministry  of  Railways  are conducted to enhance coordination between the Ministry of Railways and States.

*****