Is Indian Railways Safe? Shocking Truth Behind Recent Accidents and What Needs to Change!

infoinsightwave.comSeptember 21, 20243 Mins read69 Views

The Indian Railways, one of the largest railway networks in the world, serves millions of passengers daily. Over the past two decades, derailment incidents, which account for the majority of rail accidents, have declined from around 350 annually in the early 2000s to just 22 in 2021-22. However, accidents such as the one at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Balasore emphasise the continued need for better safety measures and infrastructure. The tragic loss of lives in such incidents is a reminder of the importance of ensuring passenger safety in the railway system. Following this accident, there have been widespread calls for accountability within the Indian Railways and to address any systemic issues that may have contributed to the incident. Experts are recommending ways to prevent similar accidents in the future, including improving signalling systems and investing in advanced technologies.

Comparisons with other countries’ railway systems have further highlighted the need for India to upgrade its infrastructure and safety protocols to meet global standards. This incident has once again drawn attention to the vital importance of making Indian Railways a safer, more reliable mode of transport for all.

There are many reasons behind Railway Accidents

Infrastructure issues:

Railway infrastructure, which includes tracks, bridges, overhead wires and rolling stock, often suffers from defects due to inadequate maintenance, aging, vandalism, sabotage or natural disasters.
Many parts of this infrastructure, built during the 19th and 20th centuries, have not been upgraded to handle modern demand or meet current safety standards.
Additionally, the railway system faces challenges such as inadequate funding, corruption and inefficiency, which hinder both development and maintenance. Congested routes, many of which operate far beyond full capacity, further increase the risk of accidents due to congestion and overloading. Addressing these critical issues is essential to improve safety and reliability in the railway network.

Human errors:

Railway staff responsible for train operations, maintenance and track management often make mistakes due to factors such as fatigue, carelessness, corruption or non-adherence to safety protocols. These human errors can lead to problems such as incorrect signalling, miscommunication, speeding or failure to address faults and potential hazards. In addition, inadequate training and poor communication skills among staff further impact their performance and coordination. Addressing these human-related factors is important to improve safety and reduce accidents within the railway system.

Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLC)

UMLCs are intersections where railway tracks cross roads without barriers or signals to control traffic. These crossings pose a significant risk of accidents, as vehicles and pedestrians may fail to notice an approaching train or attempt to cross dangerously close to its arrival. In 2018-19, UMLCs were responsible for 16% of all train accidents in India. While Indian Railways has successfully eliminated all UMLCs on broad gauge routes, many unmanned level crossings (MLCs) still exist, which continue to present an accident risk. It is important to enhance safety measures at these crossings to prevent further incidents.

Signal failures

Signaling systems, which manage the movement and direction of trains on tracks, can malfunction due to technical problems, power outages or the human error. When signaling systems fail, it can result in trains running on the wrong tracks, colliding with other trains or stationary objects or overtaking stations.

For example, the recent train accident in Odisha was reportedly caused by a problem in the electronic interlocking system that train operators were not properly informed about. Addressing these failures is crucial to ensure safe railway operations and prevent future accidents.

How Far Have We Come in Reducing Accidents?

The Life-Saving Tech Keeping Our Rails Safe – Ultrasonic Flaw Detection!

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) is an important non-destructive testing method used to identify and remove defects in railway tracks. This technology uses high-frequency sound waves to detect cracks, imperfections or defects within the rail that could potentially cause derailments or accidents. Once identified, the defective rail is immediately removed and replaced, ensuring the safety and reliability of the railway system.

GPS-based Fog Pass Device: Improving Train Navigation in Fog Conditions

The GPS-based Fog Pass Device is a hand-held device designed to assist loco pilots to navigate safely during dense fog. Equipped with GPS technology, this device accurately displays the distance of upcoming landmarks including signals and level crossing gates. Additionally, it provides an audible alert with a loud buzzer when the train approaches a signal or crossing, ensuring safe operations even in low visibility conditions.

Modern Track Structure: Building Stronger and Longer Lasting Rails and Bridges

Modern track structure is designed to enhance the strength and durability of railway tracks and bridges. Key components include the use of prestressed concrete sleepers (PSC), high ultimate tensile strength (UTS) rails and fan-shaped layout turnouts on PSC sleepers. Additionally, steel channel sleepers are used on girder bridges to improve stability and longevity, ensuring a more robust railway infrastructure.

National Rail Safety Fund: A Major Step Toward Enhancing Train Safety in India!

The National Rail Safety Fund (RRSK) is a safety-focused fund created in 2017-18, with a substantial allocation of ₹1 lakh crore over five years. The fund is specifically earmarked for critical safety-related projects, including track renewal, upgrading signalling systems and rehabilitating bridges, to enhance the overall safety and reliability of India’s railway infrastructure.