Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 10: Indian Railways has witnessed a remarkable decline in train accidents, with the number of consequential accidents falling from 135 in 2013-14 to 31 in 2024-25, and further down to just 10 in 2025-26 up to November, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Wednesday. He noted that between 2004 and 2014, there were 1,711 consequential train accidents, averaging 171 per year, highlighting the dramatic improvement over the past decade. Another key safety indicator, Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres (APMTKM), has dropped from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25, reflecting an approximate 73 percent enhancement in operational safety.
Vaishnaw attributed this improvement to a series of targeted safety measures and a significant increase in budgetary allocation for safety-related activities, which has nearly tripled from Rs 39,463 crore in 2014-15 to over Rs 1.16 lakh crore in 2025-26. Technological upgrades such as electrical and electronic interlocking systems with centralized control have been implemented at 6,656 stations to reduce human errors, while 10,098 level crossing gates have been interlocked to ensure safer operations. Complete track circuiting has also been installed at 6,661 stations to verify track occupancy electrically, enhancing accident prevention.
The adoption of the high-tech Kavach safety system in July 2020 has further strengthened rail safety. The latest version has been deployed on key sections of the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes, with plans to cover over 15,500 route kilometres across Indian Railways. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices to maintain driver alertness, and retro-reflective sigma boards and GPS-based Fog Safety Devices help alert crews to signals and level crossings in low-visibility conditions.
Modern track structures using high-tensile rails, prestressed concrete sleepers, and elastic fastenings, along with mechanized track-laying and longer rail panels, have reduced human error and improved rail integrity. Ultrasonic flaw detection, advanced welding technologies, regular track monitoring, and web-based asset management systems are also in place to identify and rectify potential hazards before accidents occur.
Through these comprehensive measures, Indian Railways has achieved an unprecedented level of operational safety, marking a historic reduction in accidents and reinforcing its commitment to passenger and staff safety across the network.