NEW DELHI, Dec. 24 -- As scrutiny over train accidents mounts, the Centre is considering its biggest-ever outlay on rail safety, with allocations likely to cross Rs.1.3 lakh crore in fiscal year 2027 (FY27), according to two people aware of the development. The proposed outlay, around 12% higher than the current year's budget, would be directed towards maintaining rolling stock and critical infrastructure, including track renewals, and the rollout of India's indigenous automatic train protection system-Kavach, one of the people said, requesting anonymity. The Indian Railways faces public and political focus on safety. The planned increase marks a significant shift in the railways' capital priorities, with safety spending expected to account for nearly half of its total capital expenditure in FY27, which is expected to rise to about Rs.2.76 lakh crore from Rs.2.52 lakh crore this fiscal year. Over the past decade, the national transporter has sharply cut accidents per million train kilometres. Yet safety remains in focus after a string of mishaps. The deadliest accident so far this year was a collision near Bilaspur, where a MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train overshot a red signal and hit a stationary goods train, killing 11 and injuring over 20. Queries emailed to the ministries of railways and finance on Monday remained unanswered till press time. The Railways reported 31 accidents in FY25 and 10 "consequential" accidents in the current fiscal through November. Consequential accidents are those involving collisions, fires, or derailments that lead to loss of life or property. Between FY15 and FY24, 678 such accidents resulted in 748 deaths. However, officials highlight a 73% improvement in operational safety metrics. Accidents per million train kilometres fell from 0.11 in FY15 to 0.03 in FY24. To sustain this trend, the government is extending the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), which has already seen over Rs.1.08 lakh crore in expenditure for upgrading critical assets....