Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Passenger Amenities at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 142 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## PASSENGER AMENITIES AT RAILWAY STATIONS

*142.   SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  present  status  of  passenger  amenities  provided  at  railway stations across the country particularly in Telangana;
- (b) whether the Government is taking steps to upgrade basic facilities such  as  waiting  halls,  drinking  water,  sanitation  and  digital  services and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the measures taken/being taken by the Government to improve passenger safety including anti-collision systems, track maintenance, security at stations and on trains?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 142 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

(a)  to  (c)  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, 1337 stations, have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme across the country, out of which 40 stations are located in the state of Telangana. The names of stations identified for development  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  in  the  state  of Telangana are as following:

| State     |   No. of Stations | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Telangana |                40 | Adilabad, Basar, Begumpet, Bhadrachalam Road, Gadwal, Hafizpeta, Hi-tech city, Huppuguda, Hyderabad, Jadcherla, Jangaon, Kacheguda, Kamareddi, Karimnagar, Kazipet Jn, Khammam, Lingampalli, Madhira, Mahbubabad, Mahbubnagar, Malakpet, Malkajgiri Jn, Manchiryal, Medak, Medchal, Miryalaguda, Nalgonda, Nizamabad Jn, Peddapalli Jn, Ramagundam, Secunderabad, Shadnagar, Sri Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba, Tandur, Umdanagar, Vikarabad, Warangal, Yadadri, Yakutpura, Zahirabad |

Development  works  at  railway  stations  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme in the state of Telangana have been taken up at a good pace.

Till now,  works  of 04 stations (Begumpet,  Karimnagar,  Sri Bala Brahmeswara  Jogulamba,  Warangal)  in  the  state  of  Telangana  have been completed under this scheme.

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

-  Khammam  station:  The  works  of  platform  shelter,  general waiting hall, retiring room and improvement to AC lounge have been completed. The works of Foot Over Bridge, lifts, escalator,  station  building  and  circulating  area  have  been taken up.
-  Basar station: The works of improvement of platform surfacing and platform wall have been completed. The works of improvement of circulating area, platform shelter and waiting hall have been taken up.
-  Hafizpeta  station:  The  works  of  station  building,  booking office, waiting hall, and toilet have been completed. The works of platform shelter, platform surfacing, circulating area, building  elevation,  signages,  lift,  escalator,  12  m  Foot  Over Bridge and Divyangjan facilities have been taken up.

Development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations including provision of passenger  amenities at 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.  The  priority  for  development  /  redevelopment  / upgradation / modernisation of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works.

Development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including under 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 state of Telangana is covered under the jurisdiction  of  South  Central Railway. For this zone, an allocation of ₹ 862.60crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26, out of which an expenditure (up to October, 2025) of ₹ 664.27crore has been incurred so far.

## 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. Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25 as shown in the graph below.

It may be noted that the Consequential Train Accidents during the period 2004-14 was 1711 (average 171 per annum), which has declined to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 11 in 2025-26 (upto November, 2025).

Another important index showing improved safety in train operations  is  Accidents  Per  Million  Train  Kilometer  (APMTKM)  which has  reduced  from  0.11  in  2014-15  to  0.03  in  2024-25,  indicating  an improvement of approx. 73% during the said period.

The number of  consequential  train  accidents  during  the  last  ten years is depicted in the graph below:-

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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:

| Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                                                 | 2022-23                                                 | 2023-24                                                 | 2024-25                                                 | 2025-26                                                 |
| (Act.)                                                  | (Act.)                                                  | (Act.)                                                  |                                                         |                                                         |
| 39,463                                                  | 87,327                                                  | 1,01,651                                                | 1,14,022                                                | 1,16,470                                                |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,656  stations  up  to
2. 31.10.2025 to reduce accident due to human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 10,098 Level Crossing Gates up to 31.10.2025 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
5. provided at 6,661 stations up to 31.10.2025.
5. Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive  system,  which  requires safety  certification  of  highest  order.  Kavach  was  adopted  as  a National ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively in  phased  manner.  Initially,  Kavach  Version  3.2  was  deployed  on 1465  RKm  of  South  Central  Railway  and  80  RKm  of  North  Central Railway. 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  Palwal-Mathura-Kota-Nagda  section (633 Rkm) on Delhi-Mumbai route and on Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 RKm) on Delhi-Howrah route. Kavach implementation has been taken  up  in  balance  sections  of  Delhi-Mumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah route.

Further, Kavach implementation has been taken up on 15,512 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
18. 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 (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 31.03.2014: 8,948                   | As on 31.03.2024: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.2019) | Removed                                   |
|  4 | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)          | 2,337 Nos.                                | 42,677                                               | More than 18 times                        |

## Implementation of Kavach

-  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).
-  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.
-  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 Version
- 3.2.
-  Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
-  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.
- d.
- Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
- Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
- e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
-  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.
-  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.
-  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  Version  4.0  is  planned  for  large  scale  deployment  over Indian Railways.
-  After  extensive  and  elaborate  trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0  has  been successfully  commissioned  on  738  Route  km  on  Palwal-MathuraNagda  section  (633  Rkm)  on  Delhi-Mumbai  route  and  HowrahBardhaman section (105 Rkm) Delhi-Howrah route. Kavach implementation  has  been  taken  up  in  balance  sections  of  DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.
-  Progress  of  key  items  of  Kavach  on  High  density  routes  including Delhi- Mumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:
-  Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.
-  Bids have been invited for equipping another 9,069 locomotives with Kavach  version  4.0.  Kavach  is  being  provided  progressively  in  a phased manner in locomotives.
-  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  40,000  technicians, operators  and  engineers  have  been  trained  on  Kavach  technology. This includes 30,000 Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
-  The cost for provision of Track Side including Station equipment of Kavach is approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for provision of Kavach equipment on locomotives is approximately Rs. 80 Lakh/Loco.

| SN   | Item                                 | Progress   |
|------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 7129 Km    |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 860 nos    |
| iii  | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 549 nos    |
| iv   | Installation of Track side equipment | 2674 RKm   |
| v    | Provision of Kavach on Locos         | 4,154      |

The  fund  utilized  on  Kavach  works  so  far  up  to  October,  2025  is  Rs. 2,354.36 crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2025-26 is Rs. 1673.19 crores. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.

## Security

Railways  in  coordination  with  Government  Railway  Police  (GRP)  is taking  steps  for  safety  and  security  of  passengers  in  trains  and  at stations:

-  On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
-  For  immediate  assistance  passengers  can  make  complaint  on  Rail Madad  Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  [integrated with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) No.112].
-  Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms like twitter and facebook etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
-  Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
-  Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety  and  security  of  lady  passengers  travelling  alone  by  long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
-  Zonal  railways  have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  proper combined strength of male and female RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties, to the extent possible.
-  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.

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