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Aspect |
From 2004 to 2014 |
From 2014 to March 2023 |
No of Railway Accidents |
1,711 |
638 |
Casualties |
2,453 deaths |
781 deaths |
Injuries |
4,486 |
1,543 |
No of train derailment cases |
867 |
426 |
Average number of train derailments per annum |
86.7 |
47.3 |
The number of train accidents per million train kilometres |
Decreased from 0.29 in 2004-05 to 0.10 in 2013-14. |
Declined from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.037 in March 2023. |
They are a major source of train accidents in India. Recent train derailments such as the Kanchanjunga Express derailment in North Bengal, the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailment, etc., have been found to have occurred due to poor track maintenance, overcrowding, operational errors, outdated signalling systems, weather etc.
According to a 2020 government safety study, derailments were the cause of 70% of all train accidents in the nation.
According to a 2022 Comptroller and Auditor General reports, derailments were the cause of seven out of ten railroad accidents that occurred between 2018 and 2021.
Railway employees who are in charge of running, maintaining, and overseeing the trains and tracks are vulnerable to human error due to various reasons which includes weariness, carelessness, corruption, or a lack of due diligence for safety regulations and protocols, etc.
Technical issues, power failures, or human mistakes can all cause the signalling system, which regulates the motion and direction of trains on the tracks, to malfunction.
Although all Unmanned level crossings(UMLCs) on wide gauge routes have been eliminated, accidents at manned level crossings (MLCs) are also increasing.
Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) |
Manned level crossings (MLCs) |
Unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) are crossings where railroad tracks join without barriers or signals. |
These crossings have barriers or gates that prevent vehicles from crossing when a train is passing. |
These crossings are dangerous because they do not have any arrangement to prevent vehicles from crossing when a train is passing. |
They are less dangerous as the signals are monitored. |
Regular field inspections are conducted by different levels of authorities but there is a lack of adequate and swift information flow at different levels due to non-adherence to railway protocols and standards.
Poor maintenance, ageing, vandalism, or natural calamities frequently result in the railway infrastructure such as tracks, bridges, overhead wires, and rolling stock being flawed.
Many railway routes in India are running at 100% capacity, which raises the possibility of accidents.
Indian Railways has failed to use all the allocated funds to achieve the goal of zero accidents. Track renewal expenses accounted for 13.5% of the railway's 2022–2023 income, which was 1.2 lakh crore.
In FY24 (Revised Estimates), the total railway revenue rose to ₹ 1.5 lakh crore, but despite an increase in budget, the spending on track renewal dropped to 11% of the revenue. In the July budget, the railway's revenue was planned at ₹ 1.8 lakh crore in FY25 (Budget Estimates), and the track renewal spending was at 9.7% of this revenue.
Flagship initiatives such as KAVACH are still a work in progress. Experts say it's difficult to implement Kavach in the current railway networks without interfering with train traffic.
Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) was introduced in 2017-18 for replacement/renewal/upgradation of critical safety assets, with a corpus of 1 lakh crore rupees for five years and annual outlay of 20000 crore rupees.
Indian Railways has introduced Modified Centre Buffer Couplers, Bogie Mounted Air Brake System (BMBS), improved suspension design and provision of Automatic fire & smoke detection system in coaches for enhanced safety.
Conventional Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches being replaced with LHB design coaches of Mail/Express trains in phased manner.
Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coach is a passenger coach of Indian Railways that is developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany and produced by rail coach manufacturing units at Kapurthala, Chennai and Raebareli. LHB coaches provide more safety and comfort compared to Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches. |
A GPS based Fog Pass device is being provided to loco pilots in fog affected areas to enable loco pilots to know the exact distance of the approaching landmarks like signals, level crossing gates etc.
Long rail panels are being manufactured at the steel plant to minimize the number of Alumino Thermit joints, which are more fragile than steel rails, in the track.
Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
Electrical/Electronic Interlocking System with centralized operation of points and signals are being provided to eliminate accidents due to human failure and to replace old mechanical systems.
Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) based on European Technology ETCS Level-1, a proven Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System to avoid train accident /collision on account of human error of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) or over speeding, has been installed on various routes.
Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) has been installed in more than ten routes and it will be expanded further.
Indian Railways has been developing and upgrading technology in signalling and telecommunication, with automatic signalling on 15,000 km of rail network to reduce accidents. The KAVACH is the domestically developed Train Collision Avoidance System and it will cover 37,000 km of tracks.
Read more about it here:Kavach Anti-Collision System
In order to assess responsibility and identify the underlying causes of train accidents, it is imperative that thorough investigations be carried out promptly. All Inquiry reports should be submitted and accepted within the allotted time frames, and the results must be made available for public review and discussion.
We need to ensure that safety-related projects, such as infrastructure improvements, signalling systems, and track renewal, have adequate funding. Funding from programs like the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) should be used appropriately to ensure safety measures.
ATC systems automate speed control and distance management. This reduces the chances of accidents caused by human error.
PTC uses GPS and communication to monitor trains. It can automatically stop trains that exceed speed limits or approach hazards.
These systems ensure signals are set correctly to prevent accidents. They provide clear signals to train drivers.
Driver assistance systems monitor conditions using sensors. They alert drivers to potential issues, enhancing safety.
Training should include theory and practical exercises. Drivers must learn signal recognition and emergency procedures.
Simulations allow drivers to practice in safe environments. This helps them respond better to emergencies.
Training should cover fatigue and stress management. Drivers need to understand healthy habits to stay focused.
A strong safety culture prioritizes safety over efficiency. It encourages open reporting of safety issues.
Programs should ensure proper scheduling and rest for drivers. Monitoring alertness helps reduce fatigue risks.
A non-punitive error reporting system helps identify problems. Analyzing errors leads to improvements in safety.
Strict regulations enforce the use of safety technologies. Regular inspections ensure compliance and safety.
Incentives motivate companies to invest in safety. This helps reduce human error and improve practices.
To significantly enhance safety and mitigate accidents on Indian Railways, international collaboration and the adoption of foreign technology are crucial. We can collaborate with European countries utilising the European Train Control System (ETCS), US for Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, and Japan and Germany on advanced track maintenance techniques ATMT).
Three vital functions (rule-making, operations and the regulation) are all vested in the Railway Board.
There is a need for an independent mechanism for safety regulation.
There is a need for the creation of a statutory Railway Safety Authority with enough powers to have a safety oversight on the operational mode of Railways.
Important articles for reference
CAG’S 2022 REPORT ON “DERAILMENTS IN INDIAN RAILWAYS”
MODERNISATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYS
Sources:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Discuss various challenges of the Indian Railways in preventing train collisions and measures which can be implemented to ensure safety and reduce the risk of train accidents? (250 words) |
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