Lok Sabha Question No. 6048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Rail Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6048

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## RAIL ACCIDENTS

## 6048. SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that in recent years several railway accidents have occurred particularly those related to track derailments, signalling failures and human errors and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of railway accidents that occurred during the last five years and  the  details  along  with  the  loss  of  life  and  property  in  such accidents, cause, State and UT-wise;
- (c)  whether the Government has formulated any concrete and time-bound action  plan  to  implement  the  indigenous  automatic  train  collision avoidance system Kavach across the entire Railway network and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details regarding the number of kilometres of railway routes and the number of trains on which the said system has been implemented so far and the timeline fixed for the remaining network?

## 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              |

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

No. of consequential accidents

## No. of trains X million kilometers run

2025-26

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The  causes  of  the  accidents  that  took  place  over  Indian  Railways broadly  include  track  defects,  loco/coach  defects,  equipment  failures, human errors, etc.

Accident Index   =

Consequential  Train  Accidents  on  Indian  Railways  and  casualties (including  railway  passengers  and  railway  personnel)  therein  are  as follows:-

| Period                          | No. of Consequential Train Accidents   |   No. of Deaths | No. of Injuries   |
|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14              | 1,711                                  |             904 | 3,155             |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24              | 678                                    |             748 | 2,087             |
| 2024-25                         | 31                                     |              18 | 92                |
| 2025-26 (upto 25 th March 2026) | 15                                     |              16 | 28                |

The  cost  of  damage  to  railway  properties  in  consequential  train accidents (including derailments) during the last five years (from 2020-21 to 2024-25) has been about Rs 432.91 Crore.

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 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                                                       |

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.
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).
5. 16.
6. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout
8. 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 Devices (Nos.)         | As on 31.03.14: 90 Nos.    | As on 31.03.25: 25,939 Nos. | 288 times                  |

| 5.   | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                                     | 28,301 Nos.                                      |                                         |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|      | Better Maintenance Practices                              | Better Maintenance Practices            | Better Maintenance Practices                     | Better Maintenance Practices            |
| 1.   | Primary Rail Renewal (Track Km)                           | 32,260 Km                               | 49,941 Km                                        | 1.5 times                               |
| 2.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 Lakh                              | 2 Crore                                          | More than 2 times                       |
| 3.   | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699 Nos.                   | In 2024-25: 370 Nos.                             | 90 % reduction                          |
| 4.   | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548 Nos.                   | In 2024-25: 289 Nos.                             | More than 88% reduction                 |
|      | Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock                   | Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock | Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock          | Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock |
| 1.   | New Track KM added (Track Km)                             | 14,985 Km                               | 34,428 Km                                        | More than 2 times                       |
| 2.   | Flyovers (RoBs)/Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.)                 | 4,148 Nos.                              | 13,808 Nos.                                      | More than 3 times                       |
| 3.   | Unmanned Level crossings (Nos.) on BG                     | As on 31.03.14: 8,948                   | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | Removed                                 |
| 4.   | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                         | 2,337 Nos.                              | 42,677                                           | More than 18 times                      |

## Implementation of Kavach:-

1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach  is a highly technology intensive  system,  which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather.
3. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based  on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2.

4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:-
- i. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.
- ii. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- iii. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
- iv. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- v. 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:-

| 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:                     |      |
| 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 8,979 Locomotives and 1,200 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.

| S. No.   | Item                                 | Progress    |
|----------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| i        | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 8,923 Km    |
| ii       | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 1,184 Nos.  |
| iii      | Station Data Centre                  | 767 Station |
| iv       | Installation of Track side equipment | 7,165 RKm   |
| v        | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4,277 Nos.  |

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