Indian Railways unveils ‘52 reforms in 52 weeks’ roadmap to transform safety and passenger services

The Railway Ministry has set ambitious plans targeting a sweeping systemic overhaul with a sharp focus on safety, AI-driven operations, workforce upskilling and improved onboard services.

The Ministry of Railways has announced an ambitious reform agenda titled “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks”, aimed at bringing comprehensive, system-wide improvements in efficiency, governance and service delivery across Indian Railways.

The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting held at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. 

The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State Shri V. Somanna, Union Minister of State Shri Ravneet Singh, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Shri Satish Kumar, and senior railway officials.

Setting the tone for the New Year, the meeting emphasized “new resolutions for a new year” with a clear commitment to implementing one major reform every week throughout the year.

Strong Push on Safety

Safety remains the cornerstone of the reform plan. Officials highlighted that consequential train accidents have reduced by nearly 90 per cent, from 135 incidents in 2014–15 to just 11 in 2025–26. The ministry has now set its sights on reducing the figure to single digits, underscoring its zero-tolerance approach towards accidents.

AI and Advanced Technology Integration

The reform roadmap places significant emphasis on the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. These will be leveraged for predictive maintenance, enhanced safety monitoring, operational efficiency, and smarter decision-making across railway operations.

Talent Management and Training Reforms

Recognising the importance of human capital, the ministry is exploring innovative approaches to talent management and skill development. The focus will be on modern training methods, continuous upskilling, and preparing the workforce to adapt to emerging technologies and operational challenges.

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Overhaul of Food and Catering Services

Passenger experience will see a major boost through comprehensive reforms in food quality, catering systems, and onboard services. The aim is to ensure better hygiene, improved taste, greater accountability, and consistent service standards across trains and stations.

Infrastructure and Capacity Review

During the meeting, Union Ministers, the Railway Board Chairman & CEO, and senior officials shared their on-ground experiences and reviewed ongoing initiatives related to infrastructure development, asset maintenance, and capacity enhancement.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry of Railways stated that the “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative reflects a focused, time-bound strategy to deliver safer, smarter, and more passenger-centric rail services, while strengthening governance and operational efficiency across one of the world’s largest railway networks.