The train collision in Kavaraipettai near Chennai on October 11, 2023, while fortunately not resulting in any fatalities, indicates significant issues with the Indian railway system. The incident raises questions about infrastructure, occupational safety, and railways management. It’s a wake-up call for the urgent need for reforms in the Indian railway system.
Relevance: GS2 ( governance ), GS 3 ( Disaster management, Technology )
Practice question: examine challenges faced by Indian railways in assuring passengers’ safety and the role of tech solutions like Kavach in enhancing train safety . Suggest important measures to enhance railway staff performance. 250 words
Incident, Kavach and failures :
Accident: A passenger train, the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express, collided with a stationary goods train at the Kavaraipettai railway station. The accident resulted in the derailment of 13 coaches and a fire breaking out in two of them.
● Kavach system :
Kavach is a train protection system designed to avoid collision using automatic -warning systems (AWS), collision devices (ACD) and overspeed control. However, its coverage is limited, with only 2 % of the network equipped so far.
● Over-reliance on Kavach :
While kavach is a crucial component for train safety, it’s not a panacea to avoid accidents, calls for the updation of the entire signalling system, capacity building of staff,etc.
Challenges :
● Staffing Issues:
Railway staff, especially locomotive pilots, face poor working conditions such as 12-hour shifts, unhygienic resting facilities, and lack of basic amenities like toilets on engines. These factors lead to fatigue and reduced performance, posing a significant risk to operational safety.
● Human Factor in Safety:
•Despite advanced systems like ‘Kavach,’ human intervention remains crucial. Fatigue and stress among staff, driven by inadequate working conditions, threaten the effectiveness of safety measures. Infrastructure and Funding Deficiencies:
● Ageing Infrastructure:
Much of India’s railway infrastructure, including tracks, bridges, and signalling systems, is outdated and in urgent need of modernization.
● Overburdened Network:
High-density routes frequently exceed 100% utilization, leading to increased strain and a higher risk of accidents.
● Budgetary Constraints:
Despite growing capital expenditure, the Railways face funding shortages for critical upgrades, relying heavily on government support. Revenue growth is slowing, and over-dependence on coal freight makes future investments uncertain.
• Eg:kavach system cost is ₹50 lakh per kilometre, with limited coverage of approximately 1,500 km currently, posing a challenge in comprehensive implementation across the 68,000 km rail network.
Suggested Solutions and measures.
- Accelerating Kavach Implementation: full implementation of Kavach may take many years, and accident-prone areas should be covered as a priority.
- Updating signalling system: the error-prone old signal system needs to be replaced with an error-free new signal system.
- Improving Staff Welfare: providing better amenities, mental health support, and suitable capacity-building exercises for staff to be resilient.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Engaging with the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs) can provide the necessary investment and expertise to modernize the Railways. This can include infrastructure development, safety upgrades, and passenger service improvements.
Conclusion :
The government’s responses to railway accidents have included counter-terrorism probes, which is a strategic step. Issues like infrastructure, staff wellness, funding, and operational procedures need to be addressed for better passenger safety, which is very crucial to avoid future train disasters.
Facts and figures :
Train Accidents
Average Incidents: 43 per year.
Fatalities: Average of 56 annually; 219 in 2023 due to a major collision.
Causes: 53% human error, 4% collisions.
Significant Railway Accidents
Odisha, 2023: A major collision involving three trains resulted in 219 fatalities.
Amritsar, 2018: A train ran over a crowd watching Dussehra celebrations, killing 59 people.
Kanpur, 2016: The Indore-Patna Express derailed, causing 150 deaths.
Gaisal, 1999: A head-on collision between two trains killed 285 people.
Railway Budget 2024-25
Kavach System: ₹1,112.57 crore allocated.
Safety and Training: ₹416.83 crore allocated.
