Indians are safer on the trains than they have ever been. This is especially admirable considering that India is the nation that transports the most people by rail, with over one lakh crore passenger kilometres (PKM) and over 685 crore passengers every year.
Passenger safety is of utmost importance to Indian Railways. More than Rs 1 lakh crore was invested in safety-related initiatives in 2023–2024, and even more is planned for the current fiscal year. This will result in better road safety close to tracks by building over- and under-bridges, as well as better maintenance of trains, bridges, tracks, and signaling systems. By installing 6,433 kilometers of fencing along tracks in 2024–2025—1,396 kilometers had been finished as of August 2024—Indian Railways is also addressing the protection of wildlife and animals. This would greatly reduce the number of cattle collisions on these routes.
LHB coaches, which have better crash-worthy features and lower the risk of derailments and occupant injuries, have also been used as a supplement to these measures. These coaches are made to operate safely at up to 160 kilometers per hour and are not meant to climb over one another in a collision. With 4,977 LHB coaches produced in 2023–2024—more than twice as many as in 2013–2014—production has significantly grown. Travel on Indian Railways is now safer than ever.
