Despite train derailments frequently becoming viral topics on social media, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has emphasized a significant improvement in railway safety. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the minister stated that sustained safety initiatives have led to a 70% decline in train accidents since 2014.

The number of consequential train accidents fell sharply from 135 in 2014-15 to just 40 in 2023-24. This marks a historic improvement in railway safety. Furthermore, accidents during the period 2004-14 totaled 1,711, averaging 171 per year. In contrast, the number reduced to 678 in 2014-24, averaging 68 per year.

Number Of Consequential Train Accidents Drops

According to the data shared by Vaishnaw, the number of consequential train accidents has dropped from 135 in 2014-15 to just 40 in 2023-24. The average annual accidents during 2004-14 stood at 171, totaling 1,711 in the decade. In stark contrast, the period 2014-24 recorded a total of 678 accidents, averaging 68 annually.

A notable improvement was observed in the Accidents per Million Train Kilometers (APMTKM) metric, which fell from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2023-24, marking a 73% enhancement in operational safety.

Causes Of Train Accidents

The causes of train accidents broadly include track defects, equipment failures, locomotive or coach issues, and human errors. Comprehensive measures to address these have significantly improved safety outcomes," Vaishnaw stated. Key initiatives contributing to this decline include advanced track monitoring, improved signaling systems, modern rolling stock, and the implementation of technologies such as Kavach, an automatic train protection system.

Enhanced training programs for railway personnel have also been instrumental in this progress.While occasional derailments continue to draw attention online, the overall data provided by Minister of Railways reflects a consistent trend toward safer rail operations. According to Vaishnaw these developments reinforce the government's commitment to making Indian Railways one of the safest and most reliable transportation systems globally. 

The minister concluded by affirming that the sustained efforts of the Indian Railways are geared toward ensuring passenger safety and minimizing operational risks