Activities

Surakshit Rail—Viksit Bharat 2047 Initiative

Safe Railways • Responsible Citizens • Sustainable Mobility • A Developed India

The Surakshit Rail—Viksit Bharat 2047 Initiative is a long-term railway-safety education, research and public-awareness programme proposed by the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC). Inspired by India’s national aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047, the Initiative seeks to promote safe, intelligent, inclusive and sustainable railway mobility through preventive action, professional competence, technological awareness and responsible public participation.

A modern and developed India requires a railway system that places the protection of human life at the centre of every journey. Railway safety is therefore not only an operational responsibility but also an essential component of national development, economic progress and social well-being. The Initiative aims to encourage a safety culture in which institutions, professionals, passengers and communities recognise risks early, follow established procedures and work collectively to prevent avoidable accidents.

The Initiative adopts an integrated approach connecting railway infrastructure, modern technology, human behaviour and community responsibility. It will promote greater awareness of train-protection systems, advanced signalling, electronic interlocking, track monitoring, predictive maintenance, fire detection, surveillance, data-based risk assessment and intelligent passenger-management solutions. It will also emphasise that technology achieves its greatest benefit when supported by regular maintenance, skilled personnel, operational discipline and informed public conduct.

Accident prevention will be a central priority. Proposed campaigns will address railway-track trespassing, closed level-crossing violations, unauthorised shortcuts, mobile-phone distraction, dangerous photography, rooftop and footboard travel, obstruction of train doors and entry into restricted operational areas. Citizens will be encouraged to use authorised foot overbridges, subways and crossings, obey safety signs and warning systems, maintain a safe distance from tracks and report hazards through appropriate official channels.

Passenger safety programmes will promote disciplined behaviour throughout the journey—from entering the station to safely reaching the destination. Passengers will be encouraged to arrive with sufficient time, follow official announcements, stand behind platform safety lines and maintain orderly queues. They should allow passengers to exit before boarding, avoid rushing or pushing and never attempt to board or leave a moving train. These basic practices can significantly reduce falls, collisions, crowd-related incidents and separation of children from accompanying adults.

Station safety will receive focused attention under the Initiative. Public education will cover the safe use of platforms, foot overbridges, escalators, lifts, stairways, entry and exit gates, waiting areas and security-check zones. Travellers will be encouraged to keep emergency passages clear, avoid sitting or placing luggage near platform edges and cooperate with authorised railway, metro, security and emergency personnel.

Communities living near railway tracks and level crossings will be engaged through targeted safety-outreach activities. The Initiative will promote the message “Stop • Look • Listen • Cross Only When Permitted” and discourage bypassing closed gates, crossing through unsafe openings or walking along tracks. Parents, teachers and community representatives will be encouraged to guide children towards authorised routes and model disciplined behaviour in all railway environments.

Children and students will be reached through RailVidya—National Children’s Integrated Safety Education Programme, the child-focused educational initiative of AIRSC. School-awareness sessions, learning materials, safety clubs, demonstrations, competitions and Young Rail Safety Ambassador activities will introduce children to railway, metro, road, fire, electrical, first-aid and disaster-safety principles. The programme is based on the belief that a child educated today can become a guardian of safety tomorrow.

Professional capacity building will form another essential pillar. AIRSC proposes workshops, seminars, conferences, certificate courses, knowledge forums, internships and fellowship opportunities related to railway safety management, risk assessment, fire prevention, first aid, disaster preparedness, passenger management, emergency communication and safety leadership. These initiatives will help develop a wider community of knowledgeable professionals and responsible safety advocates.

Research and innovation will be promoted through studies, technical discussions, case analyses and partnerships with educational and professional institutions. Priority areas may include accident causation, near-miss learning, human factors, track and infrastructure safety, passenger behaviour, crowd management, climate resilience and emerging safety technologies. Research findings can support evidence-based awareness programmes and more effective preventive strategies.

Emergency preparedness will also be strengthened through practical public guidance. Passengers and communities will be educated about raising an alarm, contacting authorised emergency services, following evacuation instructions and assisting vulnerable persons without obstructing trained responders. The Initiative will emphasise calm conduct, verified communication and cooperation during fire, derailment, severe weather, crowd emergencies and other critical situations.

The Surakshit Rail—Viksit Bharat 2047 Initiative will actively promote accessible and inclusive travel. Awareness programmes will encourage respect for reserved facilities, accessible pathways and priority assistance for children, women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Safety information should be clear, visible and understandable so that travellers from different backgrounds can make informed decisions and seek assistance confidently.

Sustainable mobility and environmental responsibility will be closely connected with railway safety. Clean platforms, responsible waste disposal, unobstructed pathways, safe handling of electrical systems and protection of public property contribute to secure and efficient railway operations. The Initiative will therefore support the wider objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047, Make in India, Digital India, Net Zero 2070 and Vision Zero by promoting safety-conscious and environmentally responsible travel.

The Initiative will encourage constructive cooperation among educational institutions, research organisations, safety experts, community bodies, volunteers and other relevant stakeholders. Awareness campaigns, exhibitions, public consultations, technical forums and multilingual digital resources may be used to extend safety messages across urban and rural communities. Such activities should complement official safety efforts and be undertaken with the necessary permissions and coordination wherever required.

Progress may be evaluated through public outreach, educational participation, training outcomes, awareness assessments, research contributions, stakeholder feedback and evidence of improved safety behaviour. Individuals, institutions and communities making exceptional contributions may be recognised through suitable AIRSC safety-excellence initiatives, encouraging innovation, leadership and sustained public service.

Through the Surakshit Rail—Viksit Bharat 2047 Initiative, the All India Rail Safety Council seeks to build a national movement that connects safer railways with India’s long-term development. Its vision is a future where advanced technology is supported by skilled people, responsible passengers, informed communities and an unwavering commitment to prevent avoidable harm.

The All India Rail Safety Council, as an independent non-profit platform dedicated to rail-safety education, awareness, training and research, invites constructive participation from institutions, professionals, educators, students, communities and responsible citizens. By making safety a shared national value, India can move confidently towards a developed future in which every railway journey is safer, smarter, more inclusive and more sustainable.

“A developed India must be connected by railways that are modern in technology, disciplined in operation, responsible in public behaviour and uncompromising in the protection of life.”

Surakshit Rail • Surakshit Yatra • Surakshit Bharat • Viksit Bharat 2047