RAIL ACCIDENTS

Published on 23 Feb 2025

The issue of Indian railway safety has come under scrutiny following a recent Balasore tragic accident. This incident has raised concerns about the lapses in safety measures within the Indian railway system. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, an average of 23,000 people died every year between 2010 and 2021 in railway accidents.

Vulnerability of India

Aging Infrastructure: India's railway infrastructures such as tracks, bridges, and signalling systems were built during the British colonial era and have not been adequately upgraded.

Example: In 2016, the derailment of the Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur was attributed to fractures in the tracks caused by a lack of maintenance of ageing rails.

Overcrowding: Passengers often travel in over-packed compartments, hanging from doors or sitting on train roofs. This overcrowding increases the risk of accidents and mishaps.

Example: Overcrowding played a significant role in the Elphinstone Road station stampede in Mumbai in 2017, where 23 people lost their lives and dozens were injured.

Geographical Diversity: India's diverse topography includes regions prone to natural disasters such as landslides, floods, and cyclones. Railways passing through these areas are susceptible to disruptions.

Example: In 2013, flash floods in Uttarakhand severely affected rail connectivity in the region.

High Traffic Density: India's railways are among the busiest in the world, with a high density of passenger and freight trains. This heavy traffic puts immense pressure on the infrastructure, leading to wear and tear.

Example: The Mumbai suburban railway system faces daily challenges such as derailments or collisions due to high passenger density.

Causes of Rail Accidents

Human Error

Negligence: Human negligence, including inattentiveness or fatigue among railway staff, can lead to accidents.

Example: The Gyaneshwari Express derailment in 2010, where sabotage was initially suspected but was later found to be caused by fishplates removed by Maoist rebels.

Signal Jumping: Disregarding signals and crossing them when not authorized can result in collisions or derailments.

Example: The Hampi Express collision in 2012, where the driver ignored a signal, leading to a tragic accident.

Manual Errors: Errors in manual operations, such as switching tracks incorrectly, can have severe consequences.

Example: The Purulia-Kharagpur Rail Accident in 2010, where a manual error in setting the tracks caused a collision.

Infrastructure bottlenecks

Track Defects: Poorly maintained tracks with defects like fractures or misalignment are hazardous.

Example: The Kuneru train derailment in 2017, attributed to track defects, resulted in a tragic loss of lives.

Outdated Signalling Systems: Aging signalling systems that fail to convey accurate information pose risks.

Example: The Balasore train accident of 2023 was due to outdated signalling systems.

Poor Maintenance: Inadequate maintenance of tracks, bridges, and other infrastructure elements can lead to accidents.

Example: The derailment of the Indore-Patna Express in 2016 was partly due to insufficient maintenance of the tracks.

Natural Disasters

Flooding: Heavy monsoon rains can lead to track submergence and washouts.

Example: The floods in Mumbai in 2005 resulted in train service disruptions and derailments due to submerged tracks.

Landslides: In hilly regions, landslides can bury tracks, causing derailments.

Example: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway derailment in 2010, where a landslide damaged the tracks.

Cyclones: Coastal areas are susceptible to cyclones that can damage rail infrastructure.

Example: Cyclone Amphan in 2020 disrupted rail services in West Bengal and caused significant damage.

Technical Failures

Equipment Malfunctions: Failures in critical equipment like brakes or couplings can result in accidents.

Example: The derailment of the Kaifiyat Express in 2017 was attributed to a technical fault in the train's braking system.

Rolling Stock Defects: Problems with train engines or carriages can lead to accidents.

Example: The derailment of the Shaktipunj Express in 2017, attributed to wheel defects, highlighted the importance of thorough maintenance.

Impacts of Rail accidents

Economic Impacts

Disruptions in Freight Movement: Rail accidents often result in the temporary suspension of train services, causing delays and interruptions in the transportation of goods.

Example: The derailment of a goods train in 2018 in Bihar disrupted the movement of essential commodities, impacting supply chains and businesses.

Loss of Revenue: Railway authorities may face revenue losses due to reduced passenger and freight services during accident investigations and repair work.

Example: The aftermath of the Kanpur train derailment in 2016 resulted in substantial revenue losses for Indian Railways.

Repair Costs: Repairing damaged tracks, rolling stock, and infrastructure is costly and diverts funds from railway development projects.

Example: The 2017 Vasco Da Gama-Patna Express derailment necessitated extensive repairs, incurring substantial expenses.

Compensation Payments: Railways are often liable to compensate victims and their families, further straining their financial resources.

Example: After the Amritsar train accident in 2018, Indian Railways faced compensation claims from the affected families.

Social Impacts

Loss of Lives: Rail accidents can lead to tragic loss of lives, causing immense grief and suffering for victims' families.

Example: A devastating crash involving three trains in the eastern Indian state of Odisha has killed 275 people.

Injuries: Survivors of rail accidents may suffer injuries, some of which can be life-altering, affecting their quality of life.

Example: Passengers in the 2013 Bangalore-Nanded Express collision sustained injuries, some requiring prolonged medical care.

Trauma: Witnessing or experiencing a rail accident can leave survivors and witnesses traumatized, leading to long-term psychological effects.

Example: Survivors of the Khatauli train derailment in 2017 reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Inconvenience to Passengers: Passengers often face disruptions to their travel plans, leading to inconvenience, missed commitments, and financial losses.

Example: The Balasore train accident of 2023 caused massive rail disruptions, stranding passengers and affecting their schedules.

India’s Preparedness

Modernization Efforts

Mission Raftaar: India launched "Mission Raftaar" in 2016 to enhance the average speed of trains, upgrade railway infrastructure, and reduce travel time between major cities.

Example: Indian Railways upgraded tracks, introduced high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express, and modernized stations like Habibganj in Bhopal.

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) Systems: It uses advanced technology to monitor trains and automatically control them in emergencies reducing the risk of accidents.

Example: KAVACH is an indigenously developed ATP System for Indian Railways.

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.

Disaster response

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): They respond to rail accidents by providing rapid assistance, conducting rescue operations, and offering medical aid to the injured.
Medical Relief Trains: They are equipped with medical personnel, supplies, and facilities to provide immediate medical assistance during accidents.
Helplines and Communication Systems: To quickly coordinate emergency responses, inform passengers, and notify authorities about accidents.

Challenges in mitigation

Infrastructure and Equipment Challenges

Aging Infrastructure: Much of India's railway infrastructure is old and in need of modernization.
Outdated Signalling Systems: Aging signalling technology poses safety risks.
Maintenance Backlog: There is a persistent backlog of overdue maintenance issues affecting safety.
Aging Rolling Stock: The ageing fleet of trains and locomotives requires upgrades.
Urban Encroachments: Unauthorized encroachments near tracks and stations pose safety hazards.

Operational Challenges

Overcrowding: Overcrowded trains and stations increase the risk of accidents.
High Traffic Density: India's railways experience high passenger and freight traffic, leading to operational challenges.
Freight Congestion: Congestion on rail networks impacts freight transportation efficiency.
Weather-Related Challenges: Extreme weather conditions like floods and landslides disrupt operations.
Data Integration: Efficient data sharing and integration are essential for improving operational efficiency.

Safety and Emergency Response Challenges

Human Error: Negligence, signal jumping, and manual errors contribute to accidents.
Technical Failures: Equipment malfunctions and rolling stock defects affect safety.
Legal and Regulatory Framework: A comprehensive legal and regulatory framework is needed to ensure safety.
Communication Infrastructure: Modernizing communication systems is crucial for safety.
Crossing Safety: Ensuring safety at railway crossings remains a challenge.

Management and Coordination Challenges

Funding Constraints: Modernization and safety initiatives require substantial investments.
Coordination: Collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including central and state governments, is challenging.
Emergency Response Coordination: Efficient coordination during emergencies is vital for minimizing damage.
Maintenance Logistics: Efficient logistics for maintenance operations are needed to ensure safety.
Skill Development: Training and skill development programs are necessary to enhance safety standards.

Way Forward

Infrastructure Modernization

Invest in infrastructure upgrades, including track maintenance, signalling systems, and station facilities.
Implement modern technologies such as high-speed rail and electrification to enhance efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Operational Improvements

Expand and upgrade rail networks to reduce congestion and accommodate growing passenger and freight traffic.
Enhance scheduling and planning to reduce delays and improve passenger experience.
Develop a robust early warning system for extreme weather events to minimize disruptions.

Emergency Response and Preparedness

Strengthen the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and railway-specific disaster response teams.
Conduct regular drills and training exercises to improve emergency response coordination.
Enhance communication infrastructure for swift responses during accidents.

Regulatory Framework

Review and update railway safety regulations and standards to align with international best practices.
Establish an independent rail safety authority to oversee safety measures and enforce regulations.

Best Practices

Japan's Shinkansen (Bullet Trains): It incorporates advanced technologies such as Automatic Train Control (ATC) and centralized traffic control systems, ensuring precise scheduling and avoiding collisions. Regular maintenance and inspection routines are also strictly followed.
European Train Control System (ETCS): The European Union's ETCS is a standardized signalling and control system that is gradually being adopted by European rail networks. ETCS helps in maintaining safe distances between trains, reducing the risk of collisions and derailments.
Positive Train Control (PTC) in the United States: It automatically intervenes if a train exceeds speed limits or enters restricted areas, thereby preventing accidents. PTC has been mandated for use on many railroads in the U.S.