Lok Sabha Question No. 4281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Skill Development for Railway Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4281

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

## 4281. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiatives  to  upgrade  rail infrastructure  including  signalling  system  in  last  two  years  and  if  so, the details thereof, year-wise; and
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps towards skill development of Railway employees in the last two years to avoid negligence on duty and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  &  (b):  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  6,669 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. Automatic  Block  Signalling  (ABS)  that  enhances  line  capacity  within existing track infrastructure has been provided at 6897 Route km upto 28.02.2026.

## Implementation of Kavach

6. 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).
7. 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.
8. 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. 9.
5. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
6. 10.
7. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:
- a. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. After  extensive  and  elaborate  trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0  has  been successfully commissioned on 1452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:
15. 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.
16. Progress of key items of Kavach on High density routes including  DelhiMumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors as on 14.03.2026 are as under:
17. In  addition,  work  for  installation  of  Kavach  in  8979  Locomotives  and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up.

| 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 -   | 260   |
|------|------------------------------|-------|
|      | Howrah section               |       |

| SN   | Item                                 | Progress    |
|------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 8570 Km     |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 1100 nos    |
| iii  | Station Data Centre                  | 767 Station |
| iv   | Installation of Track side equipment | 6776 RKm    |
| v    | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4211 nos    |

## Track Infrastructure:

Strengthening,  upgradation,  modernisation  and  improvement  of  track infrastructure is a continuous and ongoing process over Indian Railways. The following measures are being taken by Indian Railways to upgrade infrastructure railway tracks:

- i. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength  (UTS)  rails,  Wider  and  heavier  Pre-stressed  Concrete Sleepers (PSC) with elastic fastening, fan-shaped layout turnout on  PSC  sleepers  and  H-beam  Sleepers  on  girder  bridges  are being used while carrying out primary track renewals.
- ii. The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being
3. used in turnout renewal works.
- iii. Supply  of  260m  long  rail  panels  have  been  increased  to  avoid welding of joints, thereby improving safety and riding quality
- iv. Thick Web Switch Expansion Joints are being used in place of earlier Conventional/Improved SEJs.
- v. Adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.  Flash  Butt Welding.
- vi. Adoption  of  mechanized  system  for  track  maintenance  using high  output  plain  tampers  and  points  &  crossing  tampers  for improved maintainability & reliability of track.
- vii. Deployment of state-of-the-art  modern  machines including  Rail Grinding Machines to further improve asset reliability.
- viii. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activities  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc.
- ix. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates for enhancing safety at LC gates.
- x. Use of advanced Phased Array technology of testing of rail and welds.
- xi. Deployment of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS) and Oscillation  Monitoring  System  (OMS)  for  comprehensive  health assessment to ascertain optimal maintenance requirements.
- xii. Adoption  of  portable  Track  Measuring  Trolley  for  continuous recording of track parameters in yards.
- xiii. Using web enabled Track  Management  System (TMS) for integration  and  data  analytics  of  the  track  inspection  records received through various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs.

## Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach.

The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation  in  phases  to  improve  the  stations.  The  master planning includes:

-  Improvement of access to station and circulating areas
-  Integration of station with both sides of city
-  Improvement of station building
-  Improvement of waiting halls,  toilets,  sitting  arrangement,  water booths
-  Provision  of  wider  foot  over  bridge/air  concourse  commensurate with passenger traffic
-  Provision of lift/escalators/ramp
-  Improvement /Provision of platform surface and cover over platforms
-  Provision  of  kiosks  for  local  products  through  schemes  like  'One Station One Product'
-  Parking areas, Multimodal integration
-  Amenities for Divyangjans
-  Better passenger information systems
-  Provision  of  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces  for  business meetings, landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

The  scheme  also  envisages  sustainable  and  environment  friendly solutions,  provision  of  ballastless  tracks  etc.  as  per  necessity, phasing and feasibility  and creation  of city  centre  at  the  station  in the long term.

So far, 1,338 stations have been identified for development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

## Completed stations:

Development  works  at  railway  stations  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme have been taken  up  at  a  good  pace.  Till  now,  works  have been completed at 180 stations. Names of stations completed so far are as following:

Alnavar, Amb Andaura, Ambikapur, Amgaon, Anandpur Sahib, Anara, Angamali  For  Kaladi,  Ayodhya  Dham,  Badami,  Bagalkot,  Baijnath Paprola,  Balrampur,  Bantawala,  Barabhum,  Baramati,  Bareilly  City, Baripada, Barmer, Barpali, Begumpet, Beohari, Bhanupratappur, Bhilai, Bhind, Bijnor, Bimalgarh, Bommidi, Bundi, Chanda  Fort, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chennai Park,Chhindwara, Chidambaram, Chinchpokli,  Chinna  Salem,  Chirayinkeezh,  Cuttack,  Dakor,  Derol, Deshnoke, Devlali, Dharwad, Dhule, Dongargarh, Fatehabad, Fatehpur, Fatehpur Shekhawati, Ferok, Gadag, Gangapur City, Godda, Godhra  Jn.,  Gogameri,  Gokak  Road,  Gola  Gokarnath,  Gomti  Nagar, Govardhan,  Govind  Garh,  Govindpuri,  Govindpur  Road,  Hafizpeta, Haibargaon, Haldia, Hapa, Harpalpur, Hathras City, Hodal, Idgah Agra Jn.,  Izzatnagar,  Jaisalmer,  Jam  Jodhpur,  Jam  Wanthali,  Joychandi Pahar,Junnor Deo, Kakinada Town, Kalyani Ghoshpara, Kamakhyaguri, Kanalus Jn., Karaikkudi Jn., Karamsad, Karimnagar, Katni  South,  Kedgaon,  Khairthal,  Khambhaliya,  Khalilabad,  Koppal, Kosamba Jn., Kulitturai, Kuttipuram, Lasalgaon, Limbdi, Lohardaga,

Lonand Jn.,  Mahe,  Mahuva,  Mailani,  Mandal  Garh,  MandawarMahwa Road, Madhupur, Mambalam, Manaparai, Mandi Dabwali, Mangalagiri, Mannargudi, Matunga, M.C.S. Chhatarpur, Mithapur, Morappur, Morbi, Muktsar, Munirabad, Muri Jn., Murtizapur Jn., Nainpur Jn., Nandura, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction,  Nidadavolu  Jn.,  Nilambur  Road,  Okha,  Orchha,  Palitana, Panagarh, Panki Dham, Parel, Parlakhemundi, Pirpainti, Piska, Pokhrayan, Pollachi Jn., Polur, Porbandar, Rajgarh, Rajmahal, Rajula Jn., Ramagundam, Ramghat Halt, Rayanpadu, Saharanpur Jn., Sahibzada  Ajit  Singh  Mohali,  Sahebgunj,  Samakhiyali,  Samalpatti, Sanchi,  Sankarpur,  Savda,  Seoni,  Shahad,  Shajapur,  Sholavandan, Shoranur  Jn.,  Shridham,  Siddharth  Nagar,  Sihor  Jn.,  Siuri,  Sri  Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba, Srirangam, Srivilliputtur, St.Thomas Mount, Sullurpeta,  Suraimanpur,  Swaminarayan  Chappia,  Talcher,  Tamluk, Thawe,  Thiruvarur  Jn.,  Tiruvannamalai,  Tripunithura,  Tuni,  Ujhani, Urkura,  Utran,  Vadakara,  Vadala  Road,  Vidisha,Vriddhachalam  Jn., Wadakancheri, Warangal.

The activities for development at other stations have also been taken up  at  good  pace  and  progress  of  some  of  the  above  stations  is  as given below:

·   Tirupati  station:  The  structural  framework  of  new  second  entry station  building  on  South  side,  2  nos.  air  concourses  and  sewage treatment  plant  have  been  completed.  The  finishing  works  of  new second  entry  station  building  on  South  side  and  air  concourses, structural  work  of  station  building  on  North  side,  platform  shelter, lift, escalator etc. have been taken up.

- Nellore station: The structural framework, brickwork and plastering of station building on both East and West sides have been completed. The finishing works of station building on both East and West  side  and  air  concourse,  extension  work  of  subway,  parking, water tanks and sewage treatment plant have been taken up.
- Bangalore  Cantonment  station:  The  works  of  diversion  road  on South side, training centre, hostel on North side, electric substation building  have  been  completed.  The  works  of  South  side  station building, North side station building, circulating area and Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
- Kota  Junction  station:  The  structural  works  of  front  departure hall,  front  arrival  hall  and  rear  side  station  building  have  been completed.  The  finishing  works  of  front  departure  hall,  rear  side station  building,  air  concourse,  through  roof,  circulating  area  have been taken up.
- Bhubaneshwar station: The structural work of new station building at East and West side and air concourse have been completed. The structural work of elevated driveway at East and West side station, extension of Foot Over Bridge and platform shelter have been taken up. The finishing works of new station building at East and West side, works of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and escalators have been taken up.

Further,  development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds. Development / redevelopment /  upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic handled etc.

Development / Upgradation of railway stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers & trains and requires various statutory  clearances  such  as  fire  clearance,  heritage,  tree  cutting, airport  clearance  etc.  The  progress  also  gets  affected  due  to brownfield related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities  (involving water/sewage lines, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables,  etc.),  infringements,  operation  of  trains  without  hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in close  proximity  of  tracks  and  high  voltage  power  lines,  etc.  and these factors affect the completion time.

Further, development  / upgradation / modernization of stations including  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  is  generally  funded  under Plan  Head-53  'Customer  Amenities'.  The  details  of  allocation  and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not work-wise or station-wise or state-wise. The fund allocation of ₹ 12,120 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26 under Plan  Head-53  and  expenditure  (up  to  February,  2026)  of  ₹  11,892 crore has been incurred so far.

## Training / Skill Development:

Indian Railways have taken several measures to enhance work productivity, motivation and professional competencies of railway employees through structured capacity building and advanced training. Capacity building and skill upgradation are continuous and institutionalised  processes  supported  by  a  well-established  training framework across Indian Railways.

Indian  Railways  have  developed  a  comprehensive  training  ecosystem providing training interventions at various stages of the career to ensure skilling,  re-skilling  and  up-skilling  of  employees.  For  this  purpose, extensive  training  infrastructure  has  been  created  in  the  form  of Centralised  Training  Institutes  (CTIs),  Multi-disciplinary  Zonal  Training Institutes (MDZTIs), Multi-disciplinary Divisional Training Institutes (MDDTIs)  and  specialised  training  centres,  which  conduct  induction, refresher,  promotional  and  technical  training  programmes  at  different stages of service.

Training modules are designed to strengthen employees' competencies and  equip  railway personnel  with  the  skills required for  modern, technology-intensive railway operations. These modules are also periodically updated to incorporate new technologies in railway operations and maintenance.

Specialised  initiatives  such  as  the  Centre  of  Excellence  on  Kavach  at IRISET,  courses  on  emerging  technologies  (including  Data  Science,  AI applications, Big Data Analytics, Block chain, and Cloud Computing, etc.) in collaboration with C-DAC, and Mission Rail Karmayogi for behavioural and  service-orientation  training  of  frontline  staff  further  contribute  to improving productivity and efficiency. Employees are also encouraged to undertake  online  learning  through  digital  platforms  such  as  the  iGOT Karmayogi portal for continuous up-skilling and re-skilling.

In addition, motivational and wellness initiatives, including yoga sessions, physical fitness activities and stress-management programmes  during training and at workplaces, are promoted  to enhance employee well-being and morale.

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