Railway accidents decreased 90% since Lalu Prasad's tenure

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that railway accidents in India have decreased by 90% since the time of former Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. He highlighted that the current government, led by Prime Minister Modi, has implemented new technologies and made significant investments to enhance safety. While addressing a parliamentary session on March 18, 2025, Vaishnaw stated that railway fares in India are much lower than those in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. He noted that the railways have not increased fares since 2020. Mr. Vaishnaw shared statistics showing the reduction in accidents. He reported that during Lalu Prasad's time, there were approximately 700 accidents annually. This number fell to around 30 accidents and 43 derailments in the present day. The Minister mentioned the railway's recovery from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that the railways are now covering most of their expenses through their own income. To manage crowd control at stations, especially during peak travel seasons, the railways have operated numerous special trains. Vaishnaw provided examples, stating that thousands of special trains were run during the recent holidays and festivals. In response to a recent stampede at a railway station, he mentioned that measures are being taken to improve safety, including building holding areas and installing CCTV cameras at several stations. Furthermore, he noted that the Indian railways is among the world's top three cargo transporters and emphasized ongoing recruitment efforts to fill more job positions within the sector.