INTRODUCTION

Collisions represent the most severe type of accidents on Indian Railways, often resulting in significant casualties and injuries. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Indian Railways witnessed six major collisions, a notable increase from the two recorded in 2021-22. In 2023-24, four additional collisions occurred, all involving passenger injuries and fatalities. Despite some overall improvements, the long-term perspective underscores that safety must take precedence over speed and comfort.

Major Accidents

• Bihar Rail Disaster: Country's deadliest and world's second biggest train accident happened in 1981 in Bihar. On June 6, 1981, at least 800 people were killed when seven of the nine bogies of an overcrowded passenger train derailed from a bridge and fell into the Bagmati river during a cyclone at Balaghat in Bihar. As per estimates, the death toll varied from 800 to 2,000 as the waterlogged bodies were fished out one by one after several days of rescue work.

• Indore-Patna Express Accident: On November 20, 2016, 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed in Kanpur Dehat, killing 152 people. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) initially investigated the incident due to suspicions of terrorist sabotage. In 2020, the final Commissioner of Railway Safety(CRS) report attributed the accident to a sudden mechanical failure, specifically a corroded welding part falling off and obstructing the track, causing two coaches to derail and crash into a third.

Recent Incidents

• Balasore Accident: A horrific train accident occurred near Balasore, India on June 2nd, 2023. A passenger train was mistakenly switched onto the wrong track, colliding with a stationary goods train and another incoming passenger train. The devastating collision resulted in nearly 300 deaths and over 1200 injuries.

• West Bengal Accident: A freight train rammed into 13174 Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express, a passenger train on June 16, near Siliguri in West Bengal, which left at least 11 people dead and more than 40 injured.  

• Reason: The Railway Board's initial report revealed that the goods train, operating under a defective automatic signalling system, was travelling above speed limits when it crashed. The prima facie cause is the Loco Pilot's disregard of rule 9.01 of the General and Subsidiary Rules for passing an automatic signal at a restricted speed of 15 kmph.

Statistics of Rail Accidents

• Limited Progress on Accidents: While the overall number of accidents has decreased, this seems primarily due to the manning of unmanned crossings. Derailments and collisions, which cause the most serious casualties, haven't shown significant improvement.

• Consequential Train Accidents: A consequential train accident, according to the Indian Railways, includes those with serious repercussions, including injuries, loss of life, rail traffic disruption and damage to railway property.The average number of such accidents has declined significantly.This represents a substantial improvement compared to 2000-01, when over 470 such accidents occurred annually.

• Five-year average (2018-2023) of consequential accidents is 44 accidents per year.

• Collision Frequency: Despite the overall decline, train collisions still occur at a rate of roughly one every 3-4 months.

• Decline in Derailments: Over the last two decades, derailments, which historically constituted the majority of railway accidents, have significantly reduced from around 350 per year around the year 2000 to 22 in the year 2021-22

About Indian Railways

• Extensive Network: Indian Railways boasts the largest government-operated railway system in terms of passenger traffic. The network has surpassed 100,000 kilometres of operational track and is nearing complete electrification.

• Subsidised Services: Passenger fares are offered below cost, a unique feature sustained by a cross-subsidy mechanism. (This means profits from freight transport subsidise passenger fares.)

• Self-Financing Model: Ordinary working expenses cover staff costs and fuel bills, creating a seemingly sustainable model

Major Issues

• Policy Inconsistency: The Railway Board, the highest administrative body under the Union Minister of Railways, has lacked direction, with frequent policy shifts hindering long-term planning for Indian Railways' growth and expansion.

• Stagnant Performance: Train speeds remain frustratingly slow, punctuality hasn't improved, and safety concerns persist, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Railway Board.

• Example: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India recently issued a report on the speed and punctuality of Indian Railways (IR) for 2019-20. The report reveals that between 2014 and 2019, there has been no increase in the average speed of mail and express trains, which has remained at 50-51 kmph.

• High Rate of Asset Failures: Frequent equipment failures, especially signal malfunctions and rail fractures are critical issues faced and these failures contribute significantly to major accidents, as seen in the Balasore tragedy.

• Blame Shifting:A recurring issue with each serious railway accident is the tendency to assign blame to lower-level functionaries. This pattern hinders accountability and obstructs systemic improvements.

• Staff shortages: Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified personnel are employed to operate and maintain the railway network effectively remains a critical issue.

• Example: Despite empanelling nearly 1.12 lakh candidates between April 2022 and June 2023 for operational safety posts, around 53,180 positions remained vacant as of July 1, 2023.

• Despite nearly 20,000 vacancies for loco pilot/assistant loco pilot positions this year, Indian Railways initially planned to recruit only 5,658 heads, later revising this to 18,799 following criticism

• Information Management and Communication Issues: Premature and inaccurate statements by railway officials following accidents highlight significant flaws in the management and dissemination of information which undermines public trust.

• Example: The Chairperson of the Railway Board prematurely blamed the Kanchenjunga accident on the container train crew's disregard of signals and incorrectly stated both crew members had died, though the assistant loco pilot survived.

• Focus on financially dubious projects: Instead of prioritising the existing network, resources are allocated to expensive projects with questionable financial viability.

• Bullet train lines: These lines would be incompatible with the existing network due to a different gauge system.

• Dedicated freight corridors (DFCs): While DFCs have merit, their cost-effectiveness is debatable.

• Vande Bharat trains: These trains prioritise luxury over addressing the core issues of speed and network efficiency.

Positive Steps Taken

• Dedicated Safety Funds: Indian Railways has received dedicated funding streams for safety improvements

• Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK): This special fund introduced in 2017-18  specifically targets safety-related projects. In 2022-23, the government extended RRSK for another five years with Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs 45,000 crore.

• Level Crossing Safety: Interlocking systems have been installed at nearly 11,100 level crossings (as of May, 2023). This significantly reduces the risk of accidents at these vulnerable points.

• All unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge routes were eliminated by Jan 2019.

• Track Safety: 

• The maintenance has been revolutionised by introducing advanced Track Recording Cars, which are faster and more reliable.

•  Complete track circuiting has been provided at 6,609 stations by May 31, 2023. 

• To verify track safety, ultrasonic testing of rails is conducted to detect flaws.

• Rolling Stock

• Advanced/improved technologies like Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock System (OMRS) and Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) have been adopted for predictive maintenance of rolling stock. 

• Reduced Human Error:  

• Mechanization of track-laying activities with track machines to minimise human error during track construction and maintenance

• Provision of  electronic interlocking systems with centralised operation of points and signals at 6,427 stations eliminates human error in managing switches and signals, a major cause of accidents.

• Automatic Block Signalling (ABS):The Automatic Block Signalling System controls train movements automatically, improving transportation efficiency and speeding up operations. It increases line capacity by allowing more trains to operate in the same section.

•  It was implemented on 4,111 km of High-Density Routes by Oct 31, 2023.

• Capital Grant Utilisation: Railways are now allowed to utilise capital grants for safety-related works like repairs, replacements, and maintenance of critical assets. This provides more flexibility in addressing safety needs.

• Increased Investment: The Union government has made record-breaking capital expenditure (capex) allocations of 25%  for Indian Railways in 2023-24 and 2024-25.This investment is being used for:

• Expansion: Extending the network to reach remote areas.

• Capacity Building: Increasing the capacity of congested routes to improve efficiency.

• Dedicated Freight Corridors: Building dedicated corridors to improve freight movement.

• Speed Upgrades: Efforts are underway to increase train speeds.

Way Forward

• Low-cost Locomotive Equipment: Equipping locomotives with affordable technology to assist drivers in preventing accidents.

• Example: Automatic Train Protection Systems, working in the Mumbai suburban for the last few decades, could be emulated elsewhere

• Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to ensure the alertness of loco pilots, and GPS-based Fog Safety Devices (FSD) in fog-affected areas.

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Ensure the quality and proper maintenance of railway lines to minimise derailment risks.

• Rolling Stock Maintenance: Prioritise the upkeep of trains and compartments, ensuring they are in good working condition to address potential equipment failures

• Enhanced Signal Maintenance: Strengthening preventive maintenance protocols for crucial signalling assets to minimise malfunctions.

• Intensified Staff Training: Providing rigorous training to railway staff to improve their skills and awareness regarding safety procedures.

• Leveraging Technology:  AI can analyse vast amounts of data from various sources (station loggers, locomotive microprocessors) to identify patterns and underlying causes of accidents.

• Stricter SPAD Response: Treating every "Signal Passed at Danger" (SPAD) incident with utmost seriousness and implementing appropriate disciplinary actions or corrective measures.

• Learning from Best Practices: Benchmark safety and efficiency performance against international leaders and adopt successful strategies.

• Britain

•  The Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) was developed for British Railways in the mid-1990s.

•  It encourages lower-level staff to report deviations confidentially in real-time, fostering openness and frank expression of views.

• It represents a shift from conventional top-down inspection methods, empowering staff by giving them a platform to report safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

• Switzerland

• Hub-and-Spoke Model: Switzerland's hub-and-spoke design is centred on hubs like Zurich for easy transfers, in contrast to India's end-to-end connectivity approach between distant cities.

• Attitudinal Change: A shift from fault-finding and punishment to a culture of shared commitment to safety at all levels of the organisation.

• Clarify Protocols for Signal Failures: Clear and well-drafted rules should be established to eliminate ambiguity and ensure a uniform response by station masters and crews in case of Automatic signal failures.

• Need for Accountability: With increased spending,  the importance of internal outcome audits to assess the impact of these investments is higher

KAVACH

• About:An indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) with industry support,

• Timeline

• 1980s: Major railway networks worldwide adopt Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems similar to Kavach.

• 2012: Initial development of Kavach started in 2012 under the name Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) 

• February 2016: Initial field trials for Kavach (meaning ‘armour’) begin on Indian Railways passenger trains.

• 2019: Kavach achieves Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certification, a critical and highest safety benchmark.

• July 2020: Kavach is officially adopted as the national Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for Indian Railways.

• Working

• Technology: Kavach utilises high-frequency radio communication and a concept of continuous updating of train movement 

• Intervention: Kavach aids the loco pilot in trains running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case the pilot fails to do so.

• Tracking: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags installed on rails, stations, and signals help Kavach identify tracks, locate trains, and determine their direction.This is crucial for calculating safe distances and preventing collisions.

• Safety Zone Creation: When Kavach detects a potential risk, it brings all trains within a 5-kilometre radius to a halt, creating a safety zone to prevent accidents on nearby tracks.

• Low Visibility Support: The On-Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA) helps drivers see signals clearly even in bad weather conditions with poor visibility.

• Messages: The system also relays SoS messages during emergency situations.

• Phased Implementation: 

• Goal:The government aimed to equip 2,000 kilometres of tracks with Kavach in 2022-2023. Railway ministry aims to extend Kavach’s coverage to a substantial 44,000 kilometres of track over the next five years.

• Current Status: Kavach has been deployed on 1,465 km and in 139 locomotives, including Electric Multiple Unit rakes, in South Central Railway.

• Tenders & Contracts: Tenders have been issued for 10,000 km of Kavach, but only 6,000 km have contracts awarded.

• Contracts for Kavach have been awarded for the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai corridors, encompassing roughly 3,000 km of tracks across various railway zones.

• Features

• Versions: The Kavach system, currently at version 3.2, is set for an upgrade to version 4.0 to enhance its capabilities further.

• Cost Effectiveness: It is the least expensive automatic train collision prevention technology, according to the railways

• Advanced Technology: The technology possesses the highest certification level, Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certification. It indicates that there is a 10,000-year chance of only one Kavach mistake.

• Issues

• Limited Manufacturers: A key bottleneck in wider implementation is the limited number of Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) currently producing Kavach. There are only three.

• Resource Constraints: Budgetary allocation (₹560 crore as of February 2024) might be insufficient to support the increased manufacturing, deployment, and maintenance needs of Kavach.

• Prioritisation Strategy: The current prioritisation scheme (high-density routes > highly-used routes > passenger high-density routes) might not be optimal for maximising immediate safety benefits.

• Installation Time: Implementing KAVACH requires installing compatible equipment on locomotives, stations, and tracks, leading to a time lag of several years before it becomes fully operational on these two major routes.

• Way Forward

• Nurturing Domestic Industry: Indian Railways should actively support domestic manufacturers by providing:

• Clear long-term contracts

• Financial incentives

• Technological collaborations

• Focus on Trunk Routes and Automatic Signalling Territories: The Railways should concentrate on the trunk routes and Automatic Signalling territories for faster Kavach installation, aiming for 4,000 to 5,000 km/year.

• Alternative: If Indian Railways is uncertain about Kavach's efficacy or implementation speed, it can consider installing ETCS Level II (established European system) in key sections while Kavach matures.

• Faster Installation in Locomotives and Trains: The CRS report on the Vizianagaram train accident suggested that installing Kavach in locomotives and trains ahead of ground installations can increase the probability of preventing collisions.

  
  

  Short Takes

  Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO): Established in 1957 and headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, it serves as the research and development (R&D) arm for Indian Railways, specialising in the development of technical specifications for railway equipment, construction, operation, and maintenance.

  
  

  Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): An RFID tag, consisting of a microchip and antenna, is affixed to an object such as a train wagon or locomotive. When within range of an RFID reader, the tag emits a unique identifier signal which the reader captures, decodes, and transmits to a central computer system.

  
  

  Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) : Refers to a situation on a railway network where a train proceeds past a signal that is displaying a stop aspect (typically a red light) without proper authorization.

CONCLUSION

As India aims to enhance its railway network with advanced technology, Kavach stands out as a crucial element in improving safety. Indian Railways should address persistent safety issues through efficient use of increased funding and a faster Kavach rollo

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
Railways KAVACH Security Transport