Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Difficulties in Train Operations due to Fog
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Jai Parkash, Shri Satpal Brahamchari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## DIFFICULTIES IN TRAIN OPERATIONS DUE TO FOG

- †*165. SHRI JAI PARKASH: SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that during the winter season due to dense  fog  frequent  delays,  cancellation  and  safety-related  difficulties arise  in  the  operation  of  trains  passing  through  Haryana,  particularly Hisar, Hansi, Sonipat and Jind districts under Northern Railways;
- (b) if so, the details of the number of trains affected due to fog in the said districts since 2021 till date along with the details of delayed, partially cancelled and fully cancelled trains;
- (c) whether timely information and adequate alternative arrangements are not sufficiently available to passengers during fog conditions and if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps taken with regard to fog safety devices, advanced signalling, training  of  loco  pilots  and  passenger  information  systems  to  ensure safe and smooth train operations during the fog; and
- (e)  the  future  action  plan  of the  Government to enhance the reliability of rail services during fog in the said districts?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO.165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 IN LOK SABHA (a) to (e) Fog and climate related conditions affect all modes of transportation -  road,  rail  and  air.   As  the  Railway  network  straddles  across  district boundaries,  trains  are  operated  across  such  boundaries.  Further,  Indian Railways makes all efforts to run trains as per their schedule and punctually. However,  foggy  weather  conditions  sometimes  affect  normal  operation  of train services causing delays, cancellations and partial cancellations. During  the  period  i.e.  2021-22  to  2025-26,  approximately  2.7%  of  scheduled Mail/Express trains operating on the entire Northern Railway network (which serves  Sonipat  and  Jind  areas)   and  approximately  0.8%  of  scheduled Mail/Express  trains  operating  on  the  entire  North  Western  Railway  network (which  serves  Hisar  &  Hansi  areas)  were  cancelled  due  to  foggy  weather during the months of December to February. During the same period, 12.1% of scheduled  Mail/Express  trains  of   Northern  Railway  and  4.4%  of  scheduled

Mail/Express trains of  Northern Western Railway  lost their punctuality.

Safety measures during Foggy conditions: Detailed  guidelines  for  Zonal  Railways  already  exist  regarding  safe  train operations  during  foggy  and  inclement  weather.  These  instructions  are reiterated to Zonal Railways from time to time, particularly at the beginning of winter season every year. To mitigate the effect of fog, to assist the Loco Pilots in train operations and to  ensure  safety  of  passengers  during  foggy  weather  conditions,  Indian

Railways have taken various measures which include

-  A  Global  Positioning  System  (GPS)  based  portable  'Fog  Safe  Device' (FSD) is being provided to Loco Pilots, which displays upcoming critical landmarks such as approaching signal, level crossing gates, permanent speed restrictions etc. in advance during poor visibility conditions like fog. This device is used for safe train operation especially during winter season and to help reduce stress on Loco Pilots while running in poor
- visibility  conditions.   As  on  31.12.2025,  there  are  29,489  Fog  Safe devices available over Indian Railways.
-  Electrical/Electronic Interlocked Signalling with Absolute or Automatic  block  working  systems  are  provided  for  safe  &  smooth train operation in the sections. To minimize delays upto some extent during  foggy  weather,  provision  of  Modified  Semi-Automatic  Stop Signal  has  been  made  in  Delhi  -  Sonipat  section  where  automatic signalling system has been provided.

## Staff training for Foggy condition:

Railway employees including Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots are given structured training at various stages of their career. Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots are imparted structured training on fog-related safety procedures function  of  various  safety  equipment  VCD,  Fogsafe/FogPass  device  during initial  training  as  well  as  periodic  refresher  courses  conducted  at  Railway Training Centres. The training modules created for initial and promotional as well as refresher courses for Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots, cover the functioning,  safety  features,  and  emergency  protocols  related  to  automatic signaling.

Detailed training modules including on Kavach system as per prescribed periodicity are available for respective categories at initial and promotional stages along with refresher courses as well as specialized training courses, laying  emphasis  on  practical  aspects  which  help  them  in  skill  upgradation and assimilation with related advanced technology, keeping a focus on overall safety and passenger experience. These modules are also updated keeping in view the technological changes in working practice.

Training Centres located all over Indian Railways impart various type of trainings i.e. Initial, Promotional, Refresher & Specialized:

-  Initial Training - for the purpose of introducing the new entrants to the various facets of Railway operations and management.
-  Promotional  Training  -  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  serving  staff  in advance for jobs of higher responsibilities.
-  Refresher Training -for the  purpose  of refreshing the serving employees  periodically  with  new  ideas  and  principles  for  improving efficiency in their jobs.
-  Specialized Training -  for  the  purpose  of  updating  the  knowledge  of technological  developments,  quantitative  techniques,  etc.  e.g.  PRS, new locomotives, signalling system, Track Technology etc.

On  Indian Railways, for dissemination of information to the travelling passengers, there is a system of sending messages(SMS) to the passengers in case of train diversion, short termination, partial cancellation and delayed running of trains.

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