Railway Safety in India

Table of Contents

Context: The recent tragic train collision accident in Balasore has brought the issue of railway safety under scrutiny, raising concerns about the lapses in safety measures within the Indian railway system.

About Indian Railways

Indian Railways is the largest rail network in Asia and the world’s second largest railway system under a single management.
History: The first railway line in India, between Mumbai and Thane, was opened to the public on April 16, 1853. Subsequently, various railway lines were constructed, connecting important cities across the country.
Key Features:
- Network: Indian Railways has an extensive network spanning over 67,000 km and operating across more than 7,000 stations.
- Passengers: Every day, Indian Railways carries an astounding number of over 23 million passengers, which is equivalent to the population of Australia.
- Freight: Indian Railways handles an impressive amount of freight, moving over 3 million tonnes each day, equivalent to relocating the entire population of Mumbai daily.
- Revenue: Indian Railways serves as a major revenue generator for the Indian government. In the fiscal year 2019-20, it generated revenue exceeding INR 1.9 trillion (USD 25 billion).
- Heritage: Indian Railways boasts a rich heritage, with some of its trains and stations dating back over a century. Notably, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Significance of Indian Railways:
- Passenger transport: Passenger Railways provide the most affordable and convenient mode of transport for both long-distance and suburban travel.
- Driving Industrial Growth: The establishment of railway networks in areas such as Mumbai for the textile industry, Kolkata for the jute industry, and Jharkhand for the coal industry has contributed to their expansion.
- Regional integration: They play a vital role in connecting different parts of the country, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering overall development.
- Employment generation: Indian Railways as the largest employer in India, with over 10 lakh employees working across operational and commercial sections of the railways.
- Boosting Tourism: Indian Railways significantly contributes to the tourism industry, offering various heritage and luxury train experiences.
- Defence and internal security: They ensure the swift movement of troops, defence equipment, and essential supplies to remote locations, bolstering the country’s defence capabilities.

Why the safety of Indian Railways is paramount?

High volume of passengers: With a massive population and millions of people relying on the railways for their daily commute, ensuring the safety of Indian Railways becomes crucial.
Economic impact: Indian Railways is a crucial component of the country’s transportation infrastructure and plays a vital role in the economy. Any disruption or safety-related issues can lead to economic setbacks, affecting industries, businesses, and overall development.
Lifeline for economic migrants: Trains are the lifeline for a bulk of India’s poorer economic migrants. Their ability to move and improve their economic prospects has a positive impact on their home states through remittances.
Reputation and public trust: The safety of Indian Railways is essential to maintain the public’s trust and confidence in the system.
International comparison: Safety standards in Indian Railways are often compared with those of developed countries. Countries like Japan, China, and several European nations have demonstrated that high safety standards are achievable.

Rail Accidents in India – NCRB Data

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, an average 23,000 people died every year between 2010 and 2021 in railway accidents.
The NCRB classifies railway accident deaths into five categories: derailments, collisions, explosions/fires, people falling from trains or trains colliding with people on tracks, and ‘other causes.’
Trends in Railway Accident Deaths:
- In 2011, India witnessed around 25,872 railway accident deaths, which increased to 27,000 in 2012 and 27,765 in 2013. The number then fell to around 25,000 in 2014.
- From 2017 onwards, the number of deaths gradually decreased. In 2019, it was around 24,619.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on passenger train services, there was a significant decrease in 2020, with railway accident deaths dropping to about 11,968.
- However, in 2021, the number increased by 27% to 16,431, although it was still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Causes of Death:
- Majority of railway accident deaths were caused by people falling off trains or being run over by them.
- Over the past five years (2017-2021), more than 71,000 people died from falling off trains or being run over, while significantly fewer deaths occurred due to derailments and collisions.

CAG’s 2022 Report on Safety in Indian Railways

The CAG report highlighted several shortcomings in the safety of India’s railways that include:

Shortfalls in inspections: The report found that there were significant deficiencies in inspections conducted by Track Recording Cars, which are responsible for assessing the geometrical and structural conditions of railway tracks. The inspections were found to have shortfalls ranging from 30% to 100%.
Failures to submit or accept inquiry reports: The report pointed out that there were failures to submit or accept inquiry reports after accidents. This hampers the process of learning from past mistakes and preventing recurrences of incidents.
Inadequate use of dedicated railway fund: The report found that the dedicated railway fund, which is meant for priority tasks, was not effectively utilized. It highlighted failures to use the fund for essential safety-related activities.
Decline in funding track renewal: The CAG report revealed a decline in funding for track renewal, which is crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of railway tracks. Insufficient funding in this area can lead to track deterioration and increase the risk of derailments.
Inadequate staffing in safety operations: The report identified inadequate staffing in safety operations as a serious concern. Insufficient manpower can affect the timely execution of safety-related tasks and compromise the overall safety of the railway system.
Costs of derailments: The report estimated the costs of derailments to be around Rs 32.96 crore. This includes the financial impact of accidents across 16 railway zones and the associated damages and losses.
Non-operational Track Management System (TMS): The TMS, a web-based application for online monitoring of track maintenance activities, was found to be non-operational. The in-built monitoring mechanism of the TMS portal was not functioning, and information related to closure of inspection notes was not filled in the portal.
Link between derailments and track renewals: The report stated that out of the 1,127 derailments that occurred during 2017-2021, around 289 derailments (26%) were linked to track renewals. This highlights the importance of adequate investment in track maintenance and renewal to prevent accidents.

Government Initiatives to address the Indian railway safety concerns

Kavach system: KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System for Indian Railways.
Project Mission Raftar: It is introduced in the Railway Budget of 2016-17. The goal is to double the average speed of freight trains and increase passenger train speed by 50%. While the focus is on improving speed, it indirectly contributes to safety by reducing travel time and potentially minimizing the risks associated with prolonged journeys.
Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK): The government initiated the RRSK in 2017-18, a dedicated fund aimed at carrying out safety-related work in a systematic manner.
Upgradation of infrastructure: The government has been investing significant funds in the modernization and upgradation of railway infrastructure. This includes the electrification of railway lines, the expansion of rail networks, and the introduction of high-speed and ultra-high-speed lines, such as the Vande Bharat Express.
Elimination of manned level crossings: The government has been working towards the elimination of manned level crossings, which are prone to accidents. Efforts are being made to replace them with underpasses, overpasses, and other safety measures to enhance railway safety.

About the KAVACH System

‘Kavach’ literally means armour, is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian industry.
It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices (RFID) installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks, that talk to each other using ultra high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.
It is meant to provide protection by preventing trains from passing the signal at Danger (Red) and avoiding collision.
It activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions.
In addition, it prevents collisions between two Locomotives equipped with a functional KAVACH system.
It is one of the cheapest, Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certified technologies with the probability of error is 1 in 10,000 years

Way Forward

Prioritising safety as a culture: Fostering a safety culture across the Indian railways by emphasizing the importance of safety at all levels is the need of the hour.
Strengthening maintenance practices: Prioritize track maintenance, inspections, and infrastructure upgrades to prevent derailments and ensure safe operations. Implement mechanized methods of track maintenance and leverage improved technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance activities.
Advanced technologies: Embrace advanced technologies, to enhance safety monitoring, early detection of faults, and real-time decision-making.
Implementing a real-time information flow: There should be a system for the flow of information regarding unsafe practices or situations in real-time. Adopting a system similar to the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) used in British Railways is necessary.
Staffing and training: Address staffing shortages in safety-related positions and provide comprehensive training programs for staff members involved in train operations. Focus on improving skills, knowledge, and adherence to safety protocols to minimize human errors.
Sufficient funding: Ensure adequate funding for safety-related works, including track renewal, signalling systems, and infrastructure upgrades. Proper utilization of funds from initiatives like the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) should be ensured to address safety priorities effectively.