Rail safety is a paramount concern for Indian Railways, which operates one of the largest and most complex railway networks in the world. To address safety challenges and modernize critical infrastructure, the Indian government established the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) in 2017-18. But just how much does the government spend under this safety fund? Let's explore the figures and understand the scope of this investment.
The RRSK was introduced in 2017-18 with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore, spread over five years, to replace, renew, and upgrade critical safety assets across the Indian Railways network. This initiative marked a significant step towards enhancing the safety of train operations, with a focus on reducing accidents and improving overall rail infrastructure.
| Period | Allocation in RRSK (₹ Cr) | Expenditure in RRSK (₹ Cr) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 to 2021-22 | 1,00,000 | 1,08,743 | - |
| 2022-23 to 2026-27 | 45,000 | 26,702 (Till 2023-24) | RRSK extended for another five years |
As shown in the table, the government allocated ₹1,00,000 crores to the RRSK between 2017-18 and 2021-22. During this period, the expenditure exceeded the allocation, reaching ₹1,08,743 crores. In the subsequent five-year period, from 2022-23 to 2026-27, the government has allocated ₹45,000 crores, with an expenditure of ₹26,702 crores reported up until 2023-24.
Beyond the specific allocations under RRSK, Indian Railways has consistently increased its expenditure on safety-related works. The comparison between two periods—2004-05 to 2013-14 and 2014-15 to 2023-24—highlights this commitment.
| Period | Expenditure on Safety Works (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14 | 70,273 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 | 1,77,332 (2.52 times) |
In the decade between 2004-05 and 2013-14, the expenditure on safety works was ₹70,273 crores. However, this amount more than doubled in the following decade, reaching ₹1,77,332 crores between 2014-15 and 2023-24. This significant increase reflects the ongoing efforts to prioritize safety and reduce the risk of accidents on the rail network.
The substantial investments under RRSK have been instrumental in upgrading critical infrastructure, such as track renewals, bridge rehabilitation, and signaling system improvements. These enhancements have directly contributed to the sharp decline in train accidents, as evidenced by the reduction in consequential train accidents from 473 in 2000-01 to just 40 in 2023-24.
The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) is a clear indication of the Indian government's unwavering commitment to rail safety. With massive allocations and expenditures, the RRSK has played a pivotal role in making Indian Railways safer and more reliable for passengers. As the government continues to invest in safety measures, passengers can be assured that their journey is not only efficient but also secure.
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