Activities

National Railway Passenger Safety Programme

Protecting Every Passenger • Promoting Responsible Travel Building Public Confidence

A National Safety-Awareness Initiative of the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC)

A National Commitment to Passenger Protection

The National Railway Passenger Safety Programme is a comprehensive and forward-looking initiative of the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC) dedicated to promoting safer, more responsible, accessible and dignified railway journeys throughout India. The Programme seeks to strengthen passenger-safety awareness, encourage responsible travel behaviour, advance professional knowledge and support cooperation among railway stakeholders, educational institutions, civil society organisations and travelling communities.

Indian Railways and the country’s expanding metro, suburban and regional transport systems carry millions of people and connect families, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, markets and economic centres. Passenger safety within this extensive mobility ecosystem is not limited to the time spent inside a train. It begins before a passenger enters railway premises and continues through ticketing, station access, platform movement, boarding, travel, interchange, alighting and safe departure from the destination station.

The Programme therefore adopts a complete “door-to-door safety perspective”, recognising that passengers may encounter different risks at each stage of their journey. Its central purpose is to help create a railway environment in which every passenger is informed, protected, respected and empowered to make safe decisions.

Passenger Safety as a Shared Responsibility

Passenger protection is a collective responsibility involving railway administrations, metro organisations, station authorities, train crews, technical personnel, security agencies, contractors, service providers, passengers and communities. Railway institutions must provide safe infrastructure, dependable systems, effective communication and trained personnel. Passengers must support these efforts by observing safety instructions, avoiding prohibited behaviour and acting responsibly toward fellow travellers.

The National Railway Passenger Safety Programme promotes this partnership between institutions and the public. It seeks to transform passengers from passive users of the railway system into informed safety partners who understand risks, respect rules and contribute to safer journeys. A strong passenger-safety culture is created when professional systems and responsible public behaviour reinforce one another.

Safe Access to Railway Stations

Passenger safety begins at the station approach. Roads, pedestrian pathways, parking areas, drop-off points, bus connections, metro interchanges and station entrances should enable passengers to reach railway premises without unnecessary risk. Adequate lighting, accessible pathways, clear direction signs and orderly traffic movement are essential, particularly during early-morning and late-night travel.

The Programme encourages passengers to use authorised station entrances, designated pedestrian routes, foot overbridges, subways, escalators and lifts. Crossing railway tracks to reach another platform, taking shortcuts through operational areas or entering restricted zones can result in fatal accidents and must be strongly discouraged.

Station environments should be planned with particular consideration for senior citizens, women, children, persons with disabilities, passengers carrying luggage and individuals requiring medical or mobility assistance. Safe access is the first step toward a safe journey.

Platform Safety and Crowd Management

Platforms are active operational spaces where passenger awareness and disciplined movement are essential. The Programme promotes safe distance from platform edges, attention to train movements, compliance with announcements and the avoidance of running, pushing, overcrowding or distracted walking.

Passengers should never sit on platform edges, enter the track area, lean toward an approaching train or retrieve fallen objects from the tracks. Assistance must be sought from authorised railway personnel whenever an item falls onto the track. Children should remain under the direct supervision of a responsible adult, particularly when platforms are crowded or trains are arriving and departing.

Effective crowd management is vital during festivals, holidays, special events, service disruptions and peak travel periods. Passenger-flow planning, queue management, visible signage, timely announcements, trained personnel and emergency access routes can help prevent panic, congestion and crowd-related injuries.

Safe Boarding and Alighting

Boarding and alighting are among the most safety-critical stages of a railway journey. Passengers should wait until the train has come to a complete stop, allow arriving passengers to exit where appropriate and board in an orderly manner. Running alongside a moving train, forcing entry into crowded coaches or attempting to board after departure has commenced can cause serious injury or death.

Passengers must never attempt to leave a moving train. They should use handrails where provided, watch the gap between the train and platform and assist children, senior citizens and passengers requiring support. Luggage should be handled carefully so that it does not obstruct doorways, aisles or emergency access.

Train doors, vestibules and boarding areas should be kept clear. Responsible boarding protects not only the individual passenger but also fellow travellers and railway employees assisting with safe train departure.

Safety During the Journey

A safe journey requires passengers to remain alert, follow authorised instructions and avoid actions that may endanger themselves or others. Passengers should occupy permitted areas, keep aisles and emergency exits unobstructed and store luggage securely. Leaning out of doors or windows, travelling on footboards, climbing onto coaches or accessing restricted equipment areas is extremely dangerous.

Unauthorised use of electrical appliances, open flames, inflammable substances and prohibited materials can create serious fire and life-safety risks. Passengers should comply with railway rules concerning luggage, hazardous articles, smoking and the use of onboard facilities.

Any unusual smell, smoke, damaged equipment, unattended object, unsafe behaviour or medical emergency should be reported promptly to authorised railway personnel or the appropriate official assistance channel. Early reporting can prevent a minor concern from developing into a major incident.

Protection of Children and Young Passengers

Children require continuous supervision within railway environments. Stations, platforms, escalators, foot overbridges and crowded coaches may expose younger passengers to risks they cannot fully recognise. Parents, guardians and teachers should keep children close, explain basic railway-safety rules and ensure they do not play near platform edges, doors, tracks or electrical installations.

The Programme promotes age-appropriate safety education through schools, student forums, community programmes, posters, videos, stories, demonstrations and digital learning resources. Children should be taught never to walk or play on railway tracks, cross at unauthorised locations, throw objects at trains or attempt unsafe photography.

Building safe behaviour from an early age creates responsible future passengers and allows students to carry essential safety messages into their families and communities.

Safety of Women Passengers

The National Railway Passenger Safety Programme recognises that women passengers may face distinct safety, security and accessibility concerns. Well-lit station areas, visible assistance points, safe waiting spaces, functioning surveillance systems, clear complaint mechanisms and trained personnel can strengthen confidence during travel.

Women passengers should be encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings, safeguard personal belongings, avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers and report harassment, stalking, intimidation or suspicious behaviour promptly. Fellow passengers also have a responsibility to support a respectful travel environment and report serious misconduct through authorised channels.

Passenger safety requires both physical protection and respect for personal dignity. Every railway journey should be free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation and violence.

Senior Citizens and Passengers Requiring Assistance

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, patients, pregnant women and passengers with temporary injuries may require additional support during station access, boarding, interchange and alighting. The Programme advocates barrier-free facilities, ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, suitable seating, mobility assistance and clear passenger information.

Passengers requiring support should be encouraged to plan their journeys, arrive with adequate time and request assistance through authorised arrangements wherever available. Railway personnel and fellow travellers should provide appropriate help without compromising the passenger’s dignity, independence or personal safety.

An inclusive railway system is one in which every person can travel with confidence, irrespective of age, health condition or physical ability.

Medical Assistance and Public-Health Preparedness

Medical emergencies may occur at stations or onboard trains without warning. Rapid communication, trained first responders, accessible first-aid resources, ambulance coordination and referral arrangements with nearby hospitals can significantly improve outcomes.

The Programme supports public awareness concerning the prompt reporting of medical emergencies and responsible assistance until qualified help arrives. Passengers should avoid crowding around an affected person, provide accurate information to responders and follow the directions of trained personnel.

Public-health preparedness, hygiene, sanitation, safe drinking water, waste management and clean passenger facilities also contribute to safe and dignified travel. Passenger health must be recognised as an important dimension of the overall railway-safety framework.

Fire and Life Safety

Fire prevention is a critical responsibility in trains and stations. Passengers must not carry prohibited inflammable, explosive or hazardous substances. Smoking, unsafe charging practices, tampering with electrical systems and careless handling of combustible materials can endanger an entire coach or station area.

The Programme promotes awareness of emergency exits, evacuation routes, alarm systems, extinguishing equipment and official emergency instructions. During a fire or smoke incident, passengers should remain calm, alert railway personnel, move away from danger and follow authorised evacuation directions.

Emergency equipment must never be misused, obstructed or tampered with. Clear access to doors, gangways and escape routes can become life-saving during an emergency.

Level-Crossing and Track Safety

Railway tracks are highly restricted and dangerous operational areas. Trains may approach rapidly, quietly or from either direction, and their stopping distance can be considerable. Walking, sitting, playing, taking photographs or crossing at unauthorised locations can have fatal consequences.

The Programme strongly promotes the use of authorised level crossings, foot overbridges, pedestrian subways and designated pathways. Road users must respect warning signals, barriers and instructions at level crossings. Attempting to cross when barriers are closing or closed is dangerous and irresponsible.

Trespassing prevention requires continuous awareness among passengers, residents, students, road users and communities located near railway lines. No shortcut is worth risking a human life.

Metro and Suburban Railway Safety

Metro and suburban networks involve frequent services, high passenger volumes, rapid boarding cycles and complex interchange movement. The Programme promotes orderly queuing, platform-edge discipline, respect for designated passenger-flow arrangements and clear access for passengers leaving trains.

Passengers should never obstruct closing doors, force entry into crowded coaches or cross safety barriers. Attention should be given to station announcements, platform indicators and emergency instructions. Special care is required when travelling with children, senior citizens, luggage or mobility equipment.

In highly crowded urban systems, individual discipline becomes a powerful safety measure. Every passenger who follows queue, boarding and movement rules helps reduce risk for the entire travelling community.

Passenger Security and Personal Vigilance

Safety and security are closely connected. Passengers should remain vigilant regarding unattended baggage, suspicious objects, theft, fraud, unauthorised solicitation and unusual behaviour. Such concerns should be reported to authorised railway or security personnel without touching or disturbing suspicious items.

Travellers should protect tickets, identification documents, mobile phones, money and personal belongings. Passwords, one-time passwords, banking information and sensitive identification details should never be shared with unknown individuals claiming to provide unofficial railway services.

Passengers should rely upon official information channels and authorised service providers. Awareness, verification and timely reporting can prevent theft, exploitation and travel-related fraud.

Digital Safety and Responsible Technology Use

Mobile applications, electronic tickets, digital payments, online reservations and passenger-information platforms have made railway travel more convenient. However, passengers should remain alert to fake websites, fraudulent messages, phishing links and unauthorised applications.

The Programme encourages passengers to use official portals, verified applications and secure payment methods. Personal and financial information should be protected, and suspicious digital communications should be reported through appropriate channels.

Passengers should also avoid using mobile phones or headphones in ways that reduce awareness near railway tracks, platform edges, escalators or boarding areas. Digital convenience must never compromise physical safety.

Emergency Preparedness and Passenger Response

During accidents, fires, operational disruptions, security incidents or natural disasters, calm and disciplined passenger behaviour can significantly support the emergency response. Passengers should listen carefully to announcements, follow instructions from authorised personnel and avoid spreading unverified information.

Emergency exits, rescue routes and access points must be kept clear. Passengers should not crowd around responders, enter restricted areas or obstruct medical and rescue operations. Assistance may be offered to children, senior citizens and persons requiring support, provided it does not create additional danger.

The Programme promotes public understanding of emergency procedures through demonstrations, awareness materials, drills and digital education. Prepared passengers are better able to protect themselves and support others during critical situations.

Passenger Communication and Accessible Information

Clear, accurate and timely communication is essential to passenger safety. Information concerning train movement, platform changes, delays, emergencies, evacuation and service disruption should be communicated in an understandable and accessible manner.

The Programme encourages multilingual announcements, visible display systems, accessible signage and inclusive communication formats for persons with visual, hearing or cognitive disabilities. During emergencies, communication should be calm, consistent and issued through trusted official channels.

Responsible communication reduces confusion, prevents unsafe crowd movement and strengthens passenger confidence in the railway system.

Research, Technology and Passenger-Safety Innovation

The National Railway Passenger Safety Programme encourages research into passenger behaviour, crowd movement, platform design, accessibility, emergency evacuation, human factors and public communication. Evidence-based knowledge can help organisations understand risks and design more effective safety measures.

Artificial Intelligence, intelligent video analytics, crowd-density monitoring, passenger-alert systems, accessible navigation, Digital Twins and integrated control centres can support improved passenger protection. Such technologies should be introduced responsibly, with appropriate cybersecurity, privacy, reliability and professional oversight.

Innovation should always remain human-centred. Its purpose is not merely to automate railway functions but to make journeys safer, easier and more inclusive.

Strategic Areas of the Programme

The National Railway Passenger Safety Programme focuses on station and platform safety, safe boarding and alighting, track and level-crossing awareness, onboard safety, crowd management, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, passenger health, accessibility, women’s safety, child protection, digital security and responsible public behaviour.

These priorities form an integrated passenger-protection framework. Infrastructure, technology, trained personnel, public awareness and responsible behaviour must work together. Lasting safety improvement cannot be achieved through a single campaign; it requires continuous education, institutional commitment and active community participation.

Programme Outreach and Public Engagement

The Programme may be advanced through national and regional safety campaigns, station-awareness activities, school and college programmes, professional seminars, passenger-information materials, digital learning resources, community workshops and stakeholder consultations.

AIRSC seeks to encourage the participation of railway professionals, metro organisations, educational institutions, industry partners, researchers, civil society groups, passenger representatives and volunteers in suitable awareness and knowledge-building activities.

Such participation should remain educational, non-operational and consistent with the authority of competent railway, metro, security and government institutions.

Expected National Impact

The Programme aspires to contribute to fewer preventable passenger incidents, safer station behaviour, improved emergency awareness, stronger protection of vulnerable travellers and greater public confidence in railway and metro services.

Its success will be reflected in passengers who understand risks, children who grow up respecting railway-safety rules, communities that discourage trespassing and institutions that continuously improve passenger protection.

A genuinely passenger-centred railway is one in which safety, accessibility, dignity and reliable information are treated as essential elements of every journey.

The All India Rail Safety Council believes that every railway passenger deserves a journey protected by responsible systems, professional competence, public awareness and human compassion. Through the National Railway Passenger Safety Programme, AIRSC seeks to promote safety education, research, stakeholder dialogue and community participation across India’s railway and metro ecosystem.

AIRSC’s activities are intended to complement the responsibilities and efforts of competent government authorities, railway administrations, metro organisations, security agencies and statutory institutions. The Council remains committed to professional integrity, constructive cooperation and the responsible advancement of passenger-safety knowledge.

The Programme expresses a clear national commitment: no journey should be placed at risk by avoidable negligence, unsafe behaviour or lack of awareness. Every passenger protected represents a family reassured, a community strengthened and a nation moving forward with confidence.

Our National Passenger-Safety Message

Respect the Rules. Remain Alert. Support Fellow Passengers. Report Risks Promptly. Travel Responsibly.

“Every Passenger Matters • Every Journey Must Be Safe”

“Safe Passengers • Safe Journeys • Safe Railways • Strong India”

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ALL INDIA RAIL SAFETY COUNCIL

Railways—The Lifeline of Our Nation

Safety First • Safety Always