Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Context
The Ministry of Railways has implemented numerous measures to improve passenger safety in the railway system.
Introduction
Serving as a lifeline for millions daily, the Indian Railways stands among the world’s largest railway networks. Remarkably, over the past twenty years, it has seen a significant reduction in derailments, the most common type of accidents. From approximately 350 derailments per year at the start of the millennium, the number has sharply fallen to just 22 in 2021-22, underscoring the strides made in ensuring passenger safety.
Status of train accidents in India
- In 2021, the National Crime Records Bureau of India reported a total of 16,431 fatalities and 1,852 injury cases due to railway accidents.
- A significant majority (67.7%) of these incidents were attributed to individuals falling off trains or collisions with people on the tracks.
- Between 1960-61 and 1970-71, there were 14,769 train accidents, out of which 11,312 were derailments.
- The second most frequent cause of train accidents is level crossing mishaps.
- Fire incidents and collisions rank as the third and fourth most common types of train accidents, respectively.
- The Balasore triple train collision in 2023, which occurred due to a change in electronic interlocking, resulted in the tragic loss of 288 passengers in Odisha.
Primary Reasons behind Railway Accidents in India
- Derailments: Derailments, primarily due to lapses in safety protocols, inadequate track maintenance, and failure to rectify track defects, have been a significant cause of train accidents in India. An example is the 2017 Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailment, which resulted in 23 fatalities and numerous injuries due to negligence in track maintenance.
- Collisions: Collisions have occurred due to failures in signalling systems, human errors, and inability to maintain safe distances between trains. The 2014 collision between the Gorakhdham Express and a stationary goods train in Uttar Pradesh, which caused many casualties and injuries, is a case in point.
- Level Crossing Accidents: Accidents at level crossings have resulted from failures to ensure safety, inadequate warning systems, and non-adherence to safety procedures. For instance, a train-bus collision in the Kanshiramnagar district of Uttar Pradesh in 2011 led to the death of 38 people and injured 17 others.
- Signal Failures: Signal failures due to malfunctioning systems, inadequate maintenance, faulty equipment, and human errors have caused train accidents. The 1999 collision of two trains in Gaisal, West Bengal, was due to a signalling error. Similarly, a recent accident in Odisha was reportedly caused by a change in electronic interlocking not properly communicated to the drivers.
- Overcrowding and Over-speeding: Overcrowding of trains and over-speeding have also led to accidents. The 2018 Amritsar train accident, where a train struck a crowd watching a Dussehra event near the railway tracks, underscores the risks associated with overcrowding.
- Infrastructure Defects: The railway infrastructure often suffers from defects due to poor maintenance, ageing, vandalism, sabotage, or natural disasters. Many routes operate at over 100% capacity, increasing the risk of accidents due to congestion and overloading.
- Human Errors: Human errors by railway staff, due to fatigue, negligence, corruption, or disregard for safety rules and procedures, can lead to accidents. These errors can result in wrong signalling, miscommunication, overspeeding, or overlooking defects or hazards.
Significance of Indian Railways
- High Volume of Passengers: India’s Rail Network, the fourth-largest in the world, spans 68,043 km and serves nearly 3.5 billion passengers annually. Given the massive population relying on railways for daily commute, ensuring safety is crucial to prevent catastrophic accidents.
- Economic Impact: Indian Railways plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Any safety-related disruptions can lead to economic setbacks, affecting industries, businesses, and overall development.
- Lifeline for Economic Migrants: Trains serve as a lifeline for a large portion of India’s economic migrants, facilitating their mobility and economic improvement. This has a positive impact on their home states through remittances.
- Reputation and Public Trust: The safety of Indian Railways is essential for maintaining public trust and confidence. Accidents and safety lapses can erode the railways’ reputation and shake passengers’ faith in the reliability and security of train travel.
- International Comparison: Safety standards in Indian Railways are often compared with those of developed countries like Japan, China, and several European nations. High safety standards are not only crucial for passenger well-being but also for aligning with global best practices and enhancing India’s international image.
- Connectivity: Indian Railways is a lifeline for connectivity, enabling people from various regions to travel and access opportunities for economic growth. Safety is crucial for fostering economic development, enabling the seamless movement of goods, and attracting investments.
- Regulatory Compliance: Safety is a regulatory requirement and a legal obligation for Indian Railways. Adherence to safety protocols and regulations is necessary not only to prevent accidents but also to comply with national and international standards, ensuring the railways operate within a framework that safeguards passenger well-being.
Steps taken by government for passenger safety in Railways
- Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh: Launched in 2017-18 with the aim to reduce accidents at railway crossings, derailments, and collisions by investing in track renewals, telecommunications, signalling, and rolling stock.
- Kavach System: An automatic train protection system developed by Indian Railways to enhance safety and efficiency. It uses radio frequency identification, GPS, and electronic devices to monitor and control train operations.
- Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems: Systems that use electrical circuits and relays to control train movements and ensure safety. They offer a more automated and streamlined approach compared to purely mechanical systems.
- Modern Track Structure: Consists of stronger and more durable tracks and bridges, using Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC), higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, fan shaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel Sleepers on girder bridges, etc. It also uses long welded rails and switch expansion joints for smooth and fast rail travel.
- Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates: A method to ensure the safety of both road and rail traffic at level crossings. It uses electrical or electronic devices to control train and gate movements.
- Complete Track Circuiting of Stations: Enhances safety by verifying track occupancy by electrical means. As of 2023, 6558 stations have been provided with complete track circuiting.
- Vigilance Control Devices: Safety devices that monitor the alertness of the loco pilot and prevent accidents due to human error or incapacitation.
- Retro-reflective Sigma Boards: Provided in electrified territories to warn the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather.
- GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD): A device that helps train drivers navigate safely in foggy weather by providing real-time information about the location and distance of the next three signals, level crossing gates, and other landmarks on the route.
- Safety of Signalling: Detailed instructions on issues related to safety of signalling have been issued, including mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol, preparation of completion drawing, etc.
- Use of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches: A type of passenger coach used by Indian Railways in collaboration with a German company, designed for higher speed, safety, and comfort. LHB coaches have many features such as stainless steel body, FIAT bogies, air suspension, disc brakes, anti-climbing couplers, and fire and smoke detection systems.
- Web-based Online Monitoring System of Track Assets: A track database and decision support system has been adopted to decide rationalized maintenance requirement and optimize inputs.
- Fire Notices: Indian Railways has displayed Statutory “Fire Notices” in every coach to inform and alert passengers regarding various do’s and don’ts to prevent fire. These include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc. Production Units are providing Fire detection and suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and Smoke detection system in newly manufactured coaches.
- Inspection: Patrolling of railway tracks is carried out to look out for weld/rail fractures. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. Safety of railway bridges is ensured through regular inspection of Bridges.
- Rail Panels: Maximizing supply of 130 m/260 m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby ensuring safety. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
- Track Monitoring: Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars). All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
Various Committee recommendations to ensure Railways Safety
- Kakodkar Committee (2012):
- Proposed the creation of a statutory Railway Safety Authority.
- Recommended setting up a non-lapsable Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) of Rs. 1 lakh crores over 5 years for safety works.
- Advocated for adopting advanced technologies for track maintenance and inspection.
- Suggested improving human resource development and management.
- Called for ensuring independent accident investigation.
- Bibek Debroy Committee (2014):
- Recommended separating the railway budget from the general budget.
- Proposed outsourcing non-core activities.
- Suggested creating a Railway Infrastructure Authority of India.
- Vinod Rai Committee (2015):
- Recommended establishing an independent Railway Safety Authority with statutory powers.
- Proposed setting up a Railway Accident Investigation Board to conduct independent and impartial inquiries.
- Suggested creating a separate Railway Infrastructure Company to own and maintain railway assets.
- Recommended introducing a performance-linked incentive scheme for railway employees.
Best Global Practices in the world
- United Kingdom
- The Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), which automatically stops trains that pass signals at danger or exceed speed limits.
- The European Train Control System (ETCS), providing continuous communication between trains and signalling centres.
- The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), conducting independent and impartial investigations of railway accidents and incidents.
- Japan
- The Automatic Train Control (ATC) system, monitoring and controlling the speed and braking of trains.
- The Comprehensive Automatic Train Inspection System (CATIS), detecting defects and faults in trains using sensors and cameras.
- The Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS), alerting trains to stop or slow down in case of seismic activity.
Way forward
- Investment in Safety-Related Works: Allocate more funds for track renewal, bridge repair, signalling upgrade, coach refurbishment, etc.
- Employee Training: Provide regular and comprehensive training to the railway staff on the latest technologies, equipment, systems, safety rules and procedures to minimize human errors.
- Elimination of Level Crossings: Construct Road Overbridges (ROBs) or Road Underbridges (RUBs) to replace the unmanned and manned level crossings.
- Adoption of Advanced Technologies: Install anti-collision devices (ACDs) such as Kavach/Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Train Protection Warning System (TPWS), Automatic Train Control (ATC), etc. These technologies need to be expanded to cover the entire network.
- Performance-Linked Incentives: Introduce incentives that reward the railway staff based on their performance and compliance with the safety rules and procedures.
- Outsourcing of Non-Core Work: Transfer the non-core activities such as maintaining hospitals, colleges etc to private or public sector entities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Creation of a Statutory Railway Safety Authority: Set up a railway safety authority as a statutory body with powers to frame safety standards, conduct safety audits and inspections, enforce accountability and penalties for lapses, and investigate accidents.
- Regular Safety Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular monitoring, evaluation and audit of the safety performance of the railway staff, infrastructure and equipment, and enforce strict accountability and penalties for lapses.
- Enhanced Coordination and Communication: Improve the communication and coordination among the railway board, zonal railways, divisions, production units, research organisations, etc., which are involved in railway operations.
- Establishment of a Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS): Implement a system similar to CIRAS, developed by a British University, that encourages lower-level staff to report deviations in real-time while maintaining confidentiality. This system should be supported by the necessary communication and information technology infrastructure, making it accessible and user-friendly for all staff members.
- Transformation of Management Mindset: Transform the management mindset from a fault-finding and punishment-oriented approach to one that emphasizes shared commitment to safety, focusing on correction rather than punishment and actively listening to the voices of staff at all levels.
- Rethinking of Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS) Scheme: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the IRMS scheme and its impact on loyalty, ownership, and safety management. Consider revising or modifying the scheme to preserve a sense of specialization and loyalty towards specific disciplines or departments, promoting a stronger commitment to safety.
Conclusion
Rail safety in India is of paramount importance due to the vast utilization of the railway network. Despite a decline in derailments over the past two decades, accidents highlight the need for improved safety measures and infrastructure. Challenges include ageing infrastructure, overcapacity, and human errors. Efforts are underway to enhance safety through regulation, management, technology development, and investment in better technology.
Source: PIB
Practice Question
Discuss the importance of rail safety in India. Evaluate the current safety measures in place and suggest improvements to enhance the safety standards of Indian Railways. Substantiate your answer with relevant examples. [250 words]