New Delhi— Passenger safety on Indian Railways has touched a historic high, with annual consequential train accidents falling drastically from an average of 171 per year between 2004 and 2014 to just 11 in 2025–26 (up to November), the Ministry of Railways announced on Friday.
The ministry attributed the dramatic decline to sustained investment, advanced technology, and stricter safety protocols. Safety-related spending has surged nearly threefold, from ₹39,463 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current fiscal year.
Fog safety devices—crucial during low-visibility winter months—have seen a massive jump from just 90 units in 2014 to 25,939 units in 2025, marking a 288-fold increase. The Railways also completed Centralised Electronic Interlocking and Track-Circuiting systems at 21 stations each in the last four months, strengthening operational safety.
Officials said all locomotives have been equipped with Vigilance Control Devices to ensure loco pilots remain alert. Modern track structures, mechanised track-laying equipment, longer welded rails, and ultrasonic flaw detection have further added to the safety ecosystem.
Security coordination has also been expanded. Joint patrolling is now regularly conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), state police, and railway staff, especially in vulnerable sections. Intelligence-sharing has been intensified, with special teams monitoring high-risk areas and removing materials that could be used for sabotage.
Communities living near railway tracks are being sensitised about the dangers of tampering with rail components or placing objects on tracks. Authorities urged residents to report suspicious activity immediately.
State-Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) meetings, chaired by state police chiefs, have strengthened collaboration with RPF, GRP, and intelligence units. Agencies such as the NIA and CBI are involved when required, while internal RPF intelligence wings—CIB and SIB—are regularly activated to gather and verify inputs.
The ministry said these collective measures, paired with preventive maintenance, staff training, and advanced safety systems, have led to a steep decline in incidents. Consequential train accidents dropped from 135 in 2014–15 to 31 in 2024–25, and further down to 11 in 2025–26 so far.
The Railways said the latest figures underline its commitment to safer travel nationwide, with ongoing upgrades expected to strengthen the system even further.
