Train Accidents in India

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Several train accidents have occurred in India over the last decade for multiple reasons, ranging from mechanical failures to human negligence.

India’s Worst Train Disasters

• 2024: Kanchanjunga Express train accident occurred near Rangapani station in the Katihar Railway Division, ahead of New Jalpaiguri Junction
• 2023: Coromandel Express hit a goods train in Balasore after hitting Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, resulting in a tragic triple train crash. Over 300 people were killed, and well over 1,000 were injured.
• 2016: At least 146 people died when an Indore-Patna Express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh on 20 November, causing carriages to crash into each other.
• 2010: On 28 May, a train derailed and crashed into a freight train about 83 miles west of Kolkata in Bengal, killing 146 and injuring over 200.
• 2002: The luxury Rajdhani Express from Calcutta to New Delhi plunged into the swollen Dhabi river, killing at least 120 people.
• 1999: On 2 August, 285 people were killed and 312 injured in a collision between two trains in Gaisal, West Bengal.

About

• Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world, spanning over 67,000 kilometers and connecting every corner of the country.
  • It serves as the lifeline of transportation for millions.
• There has been an average of 44 consequential train accidents every year in the five-year period ending 2022-23 (FY23).

Train Accidents

• It is an occurrence in the course of working of Railway which does or may affect the safety of the Railway, its engine, rolling stock, permanent way and works, fixed installations, passengers or servant or which affect the safety of others or which does or may cause delay to train or loss to the Railway
• Despite advancements in technology and infrastructure, these incidents continue to impact passengers, infrastructure, and the overall economy.

Types

• Derailments : where a train goes off the tracks, are the most common.
  • These can be caused by a variety of factors including track defects, equipment failure, human error, or even sabotage.
• Collisions: It occurs when two or more trains collide on the same track, often due to signal failures or errors in communication between railway personnel.
• Level crossing accidents : It involves collisions between trains and vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, highlighting the need for better safety mechanisms at these points.

Impacts

• Casualties and hampers functioning : The impact of train accidents extends beyond immediate casualties and injuries.
  • Each incident disrupts the smooth operation of the railway network, leading to delays, cancellations, and financial losses.
• Trust related issues: It erodes public trust in the safety of train travel, affecting passenger confidence and ridership.
• Economic cost : the cost of infrastructure damage, compensation payouts, and the investment required for safety upgrades are substantial.
  • These accidents also have broader implications for industries relying on efficient freight transport, impacting supply chains and logistics

Challenges

• The vast railway network faces significant challenges when it comes to safety, with train accidents being a recurring concern.
• The scale of the railway network makes it difficult to monitor and maintain every section of track effectively.
• Issues such as overcrowded trains, inadequate maintenance, and human error continue to pose significant threats to safety.

Safety Initiatives

• The Indian Railways has been proactive in implementing safety measures to mitigate the risk of accidents.
  • This includes regular track inspections, the introduction of modern signaling systems, and the adoption of technology-driven solutions like train collision avoidance systems (TCAS).
• The Supreme Court directed the Indian government to outline preventive measures, including the ‘Kavach’ train protection system, following a catastrophic three-train collision in Odisha’s Balasore district that claimed nearly 300 lives.
  • It urged immediate action and sought a detailed plan to bolster railway safety, emphasizing the need for expert evaluation, system enhancements, and the ‘Kavach’ system’s swift implementation to avert future accidents.

Suggestions and Way Forward

• Continued investment in upgrading tracks, signaling systems, and rolling stock is crucial.
  • Modernizing aging infrastructure can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
• Strengthening safety protocols through better training of railway staff, stricter adherence to operating procedures, and leveraging technology for real-time monitoring and response.
• Increasing public awareness about railway safety, including rules at level crossings and onboard safety measures, can prevent accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.
• Improved coordination between different stakeholders—government agencies, railway authorities, and the public—ensures accountability and timely response to safety issues
• Encouraging research into innovative safety technologies and practices tailored to Indian conditions can lead to breakthroughs in accident prevention.
• As India continues to develop the demand for safe and reliable rail transport ,It is imperative that safety measures evolve to protect passengers and ensure the continued viability of the railway system.

KAVACH is an indigenously developed ATP system by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian industry and trials facilitated by South Central Railway to achieve the corporate objective of safety in train operations across Indian Railways. It is a state-of-the-art electronic system of Safety Integrity Level – 4 standards. It is meant to provide protection by preventing trains from passing the signal at Danger (Red) and avoiding collisions. It activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions. In addition, it prevents collision between two Locomotives equipped with a functional KAVACH system.