India Has Recorded 157 ‘Consequential’ Train Mishaps Since 2021-22: Railways Ministry
The Ministry of Railways has stated that in the financial year 2025-26, up to the month of June, three consequential train accidents have been reported across the Indian Railways network—averaging around one per month.
Indian Railways has witnessed an average of three consequential train mishaps every month since 2021-22, with the total number of such incidents reaching 157 over the past 51 months, as per data analysed by News18.
Train mishaps are broadly classified into two types: consequential and non-consequential. Consequential accidents are those that result in significant consequences such as human casualties or injuries, damage to railway assets, or disruption to train services beyond specific thresholds. These include collisions, fires, derailments, and mishaps at level crossings.
A total of 35 consequential train accidents were reported in 2021-22, averaging nearly three per month, the Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
This number rose to 48 in 2022-23, translating to an average of four per month. In 2023-24, the count stood at 40, continuing the trend of over three such incidents per month.
During the most recent financial year, 2024-25, Indian Railways recorded 31 consequential train accidents, amounting to approximately 2.6 per month.
In response to a set of questions raised by MP Ramji Lal Suman, the Ministry further confirmed that in the current financial year, 2025-26 (up to June), three such mishaps have been reported—averaging one per month.
For the last three financial years (2022-23 to 2024-25), inquiries into all the incidents—except one, which is still being investigated by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)—have been completed.
These inquiry panels, after detailed analysis, submit their observations and suggestions on each incident. Based on these findings, the concerned zonal railway authorities are directed to take necessary steps to implement the recommended measures.
“Safety is given utmost importance on Indian Railways. Due to several safety-related initiatives taken in recent years, the number of train accidents has seen a significant decline,” the Ministry said.
Highlighting the various initiatives undertaken to improve safety, the Ministry noted that Kavach is a highly advanced, technology-driven system that mandates top-tier safety certification.
“Kavach was designated as the national Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system in July 2020. It is being rolled out progressively in a phased manner. Kavach has been successfully implemented along the Kota–Mathura section (part of the Delhi–Mumbai corridor), covering 324 route kilometres, as of July 30,” the statement added.
So far, Kavach has been deployed over 1,548 route kilometres across the South Central and North Central Railways. Presently, work is underway to expand Kavach coverage along the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah corridors, which span approximately 3,000 route kilometres.
