Railway safety measures cut signalling failures by 58%, accidents fall sharply
New Delhi: Railway safety measures implemented over the last decade reduced signalling failures by 58% and led to a steep decline in train accidents, the Union government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the details in a written reply. He said Indian Railways modernised its signalling infrastructure and strengthened safety systems across the network to improve operational reliability.
As part of the modernisation drive, Indian Railways replaced old mechanical signalling with electrical and electronic interlocking systems at 6,660 stations by December 31, 2025. Authorities also provided interlocking at 10,097 level crossing gates to improve safety at busy crossings.
Railways completed track circuiting at 6,665 stations to verify track occupancy through electrical systems. In addition, officials installed block proving axle counters on 6,142 block sections to ensure complete train arrival before granting line clearance. Automatic block signalling was introduced over 6,625 route kilometres to increase capacity and safety.
Officials also embedded redundancies in power supply, detection systems, and transmission networks. Railways introduced power-operated lifting barriers with sliding booms at interlocked level crossings to improve operational reliability.
Railway safety measures drive decline in accidents and staff deaths
The minister said signalling failures dropped by about 58% over the last 11 years due to these interventions. As a result, consequential train accidents fell sharply from 135 in 2014–15 to 12 in 2025–26 so far, marking a reduction of nearly 90%.
The consequential accident index also improved significantly. It declined from 0.11 in 2014–15 to 0.03 in 2024–25, reflecting safer train operations relative to total train kilometres run.
Railways also focused on the safety and welfare of track maintenance staff. Authorities provided safety gear such as luminous vests, helmets, safety shoes, gloves, and lighting equipment. To reduce physical strain, they introduced lightweight tools, battery-operated machines, and mechanised track maintenance systems.
The railways deployed track machines for tasks like tamping, ballast cleaning, rail grinding, and alignment. Multi-utility rail vehicles were provided to mobile maintenance gangs. Officials also conducted regular training, medical examinations, and safety counselling under the “Personal Safety First” programme.
As a result, deaths of railway staff during track maintenance work declined by 66%, from 196 in 2013–14 to much lower levels in recent years. Railways also introduced VHF-based approaching train warning systems on 340 block sections to alert staff of incoming trains.
The minister said Indian Railways paid ₹30.75 crore as ex-gratia relief to families of passengers killed in train accidents between 2022–23 and 2024–25. During the same period, Railways paid ₹23.53 crore as compensation following Railway Claims Tribunal awards.
He added that compensation payments depended on tribunal judgments and were paid within 30 days of receipt of orders. The government said these measures reflected its continued focus on improving railway safety and welfare outcomes.
