The performance of Western Railway in safety matters has been commendable for the financial year 2017-18. A 37% fall in consequential cases (major untoward incidents) has been registered, i.e. 5 against 8 such cases in the last year. In total, non-consequential cases have been reduced by 20% when compared to last year. Derailment cases have gone down by 50% in consequential derailments and 33%  in non-consequential derailment cases.

According to a press release by Shri Ravinder Bhakar, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, 19% more blocks were undertaken than the last corresponding year. W.Rly. undertook 114,276 hours of block which resulted in substantial increase in the track renewals, deep screening and welding of joints. Even machines used in maintenance and track renewals received a 15% increase in the blocks granted which showed an overall improvement of 30% in the performance of track machine.

Shri Bhakar further stated that Western Railway has also formulated a Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) Action Plan in which a “Coloured Signal Booklet” has been prepared and issued to all Running staff for better LRD and reference at hand. The booklet includes signal charts of all lines, signal number, type number of aspects, location, details of routes, subsidiary signals, controlling station, visibility, etc. Another booklet is issued to all Running Staff which contains all safety related rules and instruction for a safe train operation. According to the action plan, all newly promoted Loco Pilots are monitored for their first 15/20 trips on loaded goods trains. Recommendations made by the Signal Sighting Committee for identifying conflicting signals are also being implemented. As per the directives from the Railway Board, WR has deputed safety teams for auditing of works in various depots and loco sheds. The need for upgradation of Running Rooms for Loco Pilots and Guards has been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 225 crores. This work includes air-conditioning of 45 Running Rooms. Western Railway has made 100% utilisation of funds of Rs. 1241 crores of the Rashtriya Railway Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK). W.Rly. has also completed 486 Tkms. of Track renewals against the target of 420 Tkms for the year 2017-18 registering an excess of 62.70% Tkms, i.e., 116%.

All these measures have led WR to achieve its respective targets for major safety works like TRR, Deep Screening, USFD testing and replacement of UMLC. WR completed 761 km. of Deep Cleaning which has been recorded the highest ever on Western Railway.