Lok Sabha Question No. 1911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Railway Safety and Grievance Redressal
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ms Kangna Ranaut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1911 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## RAILWAY SAFETY AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

## 1911. MS KANGNA RANAUT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  passenger  safety-related  complaints  registered  during the  last  three  years  through  social  media  platforms,  including  X (formerly Twitter) the IRCTC e-Query and grievance redressal platforms and out of these the number of complaints resolved within 12 hours;
- (b) the schedule and scope of regular track maintenance, safety audits, and infrastructure  inspections  conducted  on  the  Eastern  Coast  Railway network especially in Odisha and West Bengal;
- (c) whether any deficiencies have been flagged in recent years and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether infrastructure bottlenecks and overcrowding have been
- reviewed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to enhance safety and punctuality on busy routes?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e):   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.

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 on Indian Railways.

Number  of  Consequential  Train  Accidents  has  reduced  as  shown  in  the table below:-

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

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accidents Index, the details of which are as under:-

## Consequential Accident Index:-

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

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

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

No. of trains X million kilometers run

2025-26

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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:-
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.  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. 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.
6.  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 - Sarmatanr (93 Rkm) and Bardhaman - Howrah section (105 Rkm).
7.   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.
8.   System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as  per protocol has been re-emphasized.
9.   All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices  (VCD)  to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
10.    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.
11. 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.
12. 12.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.
13.  Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.
14.  Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
15.  Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
16.  Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.,  Flash  Butt Welding.
17.  Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
18. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
19.  The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
20. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
21. 21.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.
22.  Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track,  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued.
23. 23.Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
24.  Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB  design coaches is being done.
25. 25.All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
26. 26.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.
27. 27.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
28. Don'ts  to  prevent  fire.  These  include  messages  regarding  not  carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc.
29. 28.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.
29. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
30.  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.

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

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 | 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                                  | As on 31.03.14:                         | As on 31.03.24:Nil                      | Removed                                 |

|    | (Nos.) on BG                      | 8,948      | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   |                    |
|----|-----------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|--------------------|
|  4 | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.) | 2,337 Nos. | 42,677                         | More than 18 times |

Indian Railways makes all possible efforts to run trains on time. However, several  factors  affect  punctual  running  of  trains  which  include  path constraints, asset maintenance, alarm chain pulling, agitations, cattle run over,  bad/foggy  weather  and  other  unforeseen  circumstances.  Based  on assessments of factors impeding the punctual running of trains, remedial measures,  both  short  term  and  long  term,  are  initiated.   High  priority  is accorded  to  making  resources  available  for  speedy  execution  of  critical capacity augmentation as these on completion inter-alia facilitate improved efficiency and reliability in train operations. The punctuality of Mail/Express trains on Indian Railways during 2025-26 (till January, 2026) is about 78%.

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