Union Budget 2025: Why Indian Railways will choose safety over expansion

Introduction

As the 2025-26 Union Budget approaches, there is a growing anticipation regarding the priorities that finance minister will set for the Indian Railways. The year 2024 was particularly challenging for the railroads in terms of safety, with five major accidents occurring. The most tragic of these was the Kanchanjungha Express collision, which resulted in the loss of 60 lives, marking it as the biggest railroad accident of the decade. Given these incidents, it is expected that the focus will shift towards modernization and strengthening of the existing railroad infrastructure rather than the announcement and expansion of new railroads.

Key expectations

Prioritising safety over expansion

The primary expectation is that the budget will prioritise safety measures over the expansion of new railroads. The tragic incidents in 2024 underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Ensuring the safety of both railroad staff and passengers should be the foremost priority.

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Expansion of the Kavach system

Kavach, a safety mechanism designed to prevent train collisions and derailments, requires significant budget allocation. The goal should be to enable this program across as many trains as possible, with a clear target percentage for completion over the next five years. This system is akin to the Positive Train Control (PTC) system in North America, the European Train Control System (ETCS), and the Chinese Train Control System, all of which have proven effective in enhancing railroad safety. PTC completely implanted in across entire North America railroad in Dec 2020 (Initial target was Dec 2015).

Electronic interlocking based automatic signalling

Another key expectation of this year’s union budget is the expansion of electronic interlocking based automatic signaling system which will significantly enhance interoperability between different regional signaling systems., and comprehensive digital communication networks. Signaling systems modernization is overdue and an allocation in this key area will significantly increase the efficiency and safety of Indian Railways.

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Implementation of wayside train monitoring system

The Wayside Train Monitoring System, which captures real-time information about the health of trains, is another critical area for investment. With advancements in technology and the expansion of the internet in India, these data can be easily transferred and analyzed to generate real-time alerts, ensuring structural health and preventing accidents.

Adoption of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence

With approximately 700 crore passengers traveling by train in India in 2023-24, and the numbers growing each year, there is a pressing need for investment in modern technologies. Advanced data analysis, digital twins, and artificial intelligence can help mitigate the challenges posed by the expansion of tracks, trains, and stations. With the help of artificial intelligence we can deliver innovation ranging from accident prevention to passenger experience. With AI continuous learning and improve, it will empower automated route planning, precise speed management, and swift anomaly detection. This leads to a safer, more efficient, and robust network, perfectly suited to navigate the complexities of contemporary railway operations. A significant budget allocation for the Railway R&D wing is essential to drive these innovations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2025-26 Union Budget should focus on modernizing and strengthening the existing railroad infrastructure with a strong emphasis on safety. The expansion of the Kavach system, Wayside Train Monitoring System, and the adoption of advanced technologies are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. By prioritizing these areas, the Indian Railways can ensure safer and more efficient travel for millions of passengers.

The author is Senior Technology Specialist - Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.