Railway Safety Reaches Record High Levels

New Delhi,Passenger safety has been accorded the highest priority in Indian Railways, resulting in a historic improvement in safety records. According to official data, annual consequential train accidents, which averaged 171 per year during 2004–2014, have reduced drastically to 31 in 2024–25 and further dropped to just 11 incidents so far in 2025–26 (up to November 2025).

The Railway Safety Budget has witnessed a significant increase, rising nearly threefold from ₹39,463 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current financial year (2025–26). Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the number of fog-safety devices has increased 288 times, from 90 units in 2014 to 25,939 units in 2025, greatly enhancing safety during low-visibility conditions.

Over the last four months alone, work related to centralized electronic interlocking and track circuiting has been completed at 21 stations each, strengthening operational safety.

The Minister informed that any abnormal incident on the railways is thoroughly investigated. While technical causes are examined internally, suspected criminal acts are investigated with the support of State Police, and where required, agencies like the CBI and NIA are also involved. All cases of track sabotage or tampering reported during 2023 and 2024 were registered by State Police/GRP, followed by investigation, arrests, and prosecution.

To prevent such incidents, Indian Railways has enhanced coordination with State Police, GRP, RPF, and intelligence agencies. Continuous patrolling is being carried out in sensitive and high-risk areas. Special teams have been formed for intelligence sharing, removal of materials lying near tracks, and spreading awareness among local residents living near railway lines to report suspicious activities immediately.

Regular meetings of the State Level Security Committee for Railways (SLSCR) are being held under the chairmanship of the respective State DGPs/Police Commissioners. RPF maintains close coordination with GRP and State Police to control crime, maintain law and order at stations and on running trains, and curb vandalism.

Key Safety Improvements:

Centralized Electronic/Electrical Interlocking installed at 6,656 stations

Interlocking at 10,098 level crossing gates

Track circuiting at 6,661 stations to confirm track availability

KAVACH, the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, implemented on over 15,512 route kilometers, including major sections of Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes

All unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge routes eliminated by January 2019

Infrastructure & Technology Upgrades:

Use of 60 kg high-strength rails, pre-stressed concrete sleepers, and modern track structures

Increased mechanization using advanced track machines

Expansion of long welded rails to reduce joint failures

Extensive ultrasonic flaw detection (USFD) testing

Sharp reduction in rail fractures (over 88%) and weld failures (90%) compared to the previous decade

Enhanced monitoring through Oscillation Monitoring Systems (OMS) and Track Recording Cars (TRC)

Rolling Stock & Fire Safety:

Replacement of conventional ICF coaches with LHB coaches

Fire detection and suppression systems in new power cars, pantry cars, and coaches

Mandatory fire-safety information displayed in all coaches

Regular staff training and counseling

Investment Highlights (2014–25 vs 2004–14):

New track construction: Over 2 times increase

ROB/RUB construction: More than 3 times increase

Coach manufacturing: Over 18 times increase

Primary track renewal: 1.5 times increase

The Minister noted that the introduction of rolling block maintenance planning, notified in November 2023, has enabled integrated and advance planning of maintenance and replacement activities up to 52 weeks in advance, further strengthening railway safety.

This information was shared by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds the portfolios of Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.