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India's Railways Eyes Record Safety Funding
24 Dec
Summary
- Rail safety budget may exceed ₹1.3 trillion in FY27.
- Safety spending to form nearly half of total capital expenditure.
- Kavach system implementation ongoing across the network.
Indian Railways is poised to unveil its most substantial rail safety budget to date, with allocations expected to exceed ₹1.3 trillion for the fiscal year 2027. This projected spending marks a substantial increase, directing nearly half of the railways' total capital expenditure towards critical areas like rolling stock maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
The substantial investment underscores a renewed focus on safety, particularly following a series of accidents that have heightened public and political concern. While operational safety metrics have shown long-term improvement, with accidents per million train kilometers significantly reduced, recent mishaps have kept safety at the forefront of priorities.
Key initiatives include the rollout of the Kavach automatic train protection system, track renewals, and signaling modernization. This increased budgetary focus signals a strategic shift to ensure continued safety enhancements across the vast rail network, despite expert opinions suggesting organizational discipline plays a crucial role beyond funding.
