Vaishnaw stated that Indian Railways now has 25,900 fog safety devices — a 288-times increase in the last 11 years

December 12, 2025

New Delhi: The number of fog safety devices in Indian Railways—used to prevent accidents and reduce delays during winter—has risen 288 times, from just 90 in 2014 to 25,939 in 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Friday.

Massive Expansion of Fog Safety Devices

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said that a GPS-based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots operating in fog-affected areas.
The device alerts drivers to the distance of upcoming landmarks such as signals, level-crossing gates and other critical points, helping prevent accidents and ensure safe train movement.

Vaishnaw added that several measures have been implemented to strengthen safety in train operations. As a result, consequential train accidents have dropped sharply, from 135 in 2014–15 to 31 in 2024–25.

Enhanced Budget and Broader Safety Measures

Highlighting the government’s focus on railway safety, the minister noted that the budgetary outlay for safety-related activities has nearly tripled, increasing from ₹39,463 crore in 2014–15 to over ₹1.16 lakh crore in 2025–26.
These investments are aimed at reducing risks across the rail network and modernising safety infrastructure.

Vaishnaw emphasised that passenger safety remains a top priority. Any unusual incident is thoroughly investigated, and when necessary, the state police, CBI, or NIA are involved. He clarified that, in line with constitutional provisions, state governments are primarily responsible for investigating criminal activity, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the security of railway infrastructure such as tracks, bridges and tunnels.

Security, Surveillance and Anti-Sabotage Actions

All incidents of sabotage or tampering with railway tracks reported in 2023 and 2024 have resulted in police or GRP cases, followed by investigations, arrests and prosecutions.

To safeguard vulnerable sections, frequent patrolling is jointly undertaken by railway personnel, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), GRP and civil police. Special teams monitor high-risk areas, share intelligence and actively mitigate threats.

Regular drives are conducted to remove materials lying near tracks that could be used for obstruction. Communities living along the tracks are also being sensitised about the dangers of placing foreign objects on the lines or removing rail components and are encouraged to report suspicious activities.

Close coordination is maintained between the RPF and state police/GRP to control crime, conduct investigations and maintain law and order. Agencies such as the NIA, CBI, and central/state intelligence units are also engaged when required to prevent sabotage and ensure the safety of railway operations, the minister added.