Charting a new growth path: Engine of growth yet to ensure full safety

Challenges 

- Trains are engines of growth, but India has not been able to eliminate rail accidents or significantly reduce them, even as the railways spends around one-fifth of its expenditure on safety

  - Derailments are the top cause for accidents, with collisions and fire being distant second and third. In 2022-23, there was a spurt in the first two accident types  

  Takeaways

  - Even as railways operating ratio is projected to improve only slightly, the Budget continued to give priority to safety-related works for FY26

  - Share of capital expenditure may remain elevated above 40 per cent of safety expenditure during FY25 and FY26