The Railway Board has introduced a new accountability system to reduce technical glitches on the tracks. Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) will now be directly responsible if there are failures in signaling, track, or Overhead Equipment (OHE). This move aims to ensure that trains run on time and passengers travel safely without unexpected delays.
How will the Railway Board monitor asset failures?
The Chairman of the Railway Board and CEO, Satish Kumar, will personally oversee the investigation of technical failures. He will conduct surprise checks and reviews through video conferencing with DRMs and their teams. A detailed record of every failure will be maintained to identify the root cause and prevent future occurrences.
What are the new directives for Zonal Railways?
General Managers of all Zonal Railways have been told to depute senior officers for a complete audit of signaling systems across the network. The goal is to find deficiencies and improve reliability. The Railway Board has emphasized that GMs and DRMs must provide truthful and realistic reports of asset failures to make actual improvements.
Recent safety data and infrastructure updates
According to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on February 6, 2026, there has been a 58% drop in signaling failures. The railways have also updated their infrastructure as of December 31, 2025:
| Infrastructure Type | Number of Stations |
|---|---|
| Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems | 6660 |
| Complete Track Circuiting | 6665 |