Deadliest Railway Disaster
Why in News?
The triple train collision in Odisha’s Balasore, one of the deadliest in India. The tragic train accident that occurred on June 2, 2023, at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district, has highlighted the urgent need for effective safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents.
Key Highlights
- The recent incident has brought attention to the Kavach initiative, which aims to enhance railway safety in India. However, the Kavach system has not been implemented on the Odisha route.
- The Indian Railways saw an average of about 1,390 accidents per year in the 1960s. The number has dramatically dropped to 80 per year in the past decade.
- More than 280 people and over 900 injured when the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, the Yesvantpur-Howrah Express and a freight train collided in the worst rail accident in two decades.
- The accident in Balasore is a disastrous sequence of mechanical failures and human errors.
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)’s 2022 report on ‘Derailments in Indian Railways’ flagged multiple shortcomings on the causes of train accidents in the country.
Reason for Trains Collision?
- The preliminary reports suggest the crash was the result of a signal fault and a “change in electronic interlocking”.
- In railway signalling the electronic interlocking system sets routes for each train in a set area, ensuring the safe movement of trains along the track.
What is an Interlocking System?
- Interlocking is an integral part of railway signalling.
- It refers to a mechanism that controls the movement of trains to ensure trains move safely through a controlled area.
- This system is an arrangement of signals and points.
- It may be inter-connected mechanically or electrically or both.
- It operates in such a way that a train can move from one track or junction to another safely, without coming in the way of another train.
The EI Signal System Comprises Three Crucial Elements
Signal:
Based on the status of the track ahead, signals are used to tell a train to stop (red light), proceed (green), or exercise caution (yellow).
Point Control:
- A train can change its track using a point.
- These are movable sections of a track which guide the wheels towards either the straight or diverging track.
- Points are operated using switches to lead trains in the desired direction.
- For example, if a train has to change lines, the switch point is activated ahead of time and the point is locked. A point machine is a device used for locking point switches and plays an important role in the safe running of trains.
The Balasore accident is an exception in recent years, but it also reflects the declining focus on safety measures by the Indian Railways.
CAG report reveals that the consequential train accidents between 2017-18 and 2020-21 were caused by derailments.
Highlights of Chart 1
- The chart 1 shows the year wise number of accidents under various categories.
- According to the chart 1 Derailments formed close to 70% of all accidents since 199091, followed by level crossing accidents, collisions and fires in trains.
Various Categories of Train Accidents Train accidents can be classified into two categories: 1. Consequential Train Accidents: It include accidents with significant consequences, such as loss of life, human injury, property damage, and interruption to railway traffic. 2. Other Train Accidents: It includes all accidents that do not fall under the consequential category.
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Highlights of Chart 2
Chart 2 shows the number of passengers killed in consequential accidents since 199091.
- The tragedy in Odisha claimed more than 275 lives.
- The number of deaths in this single incident is higher than the annual fatalities of the last 16 years.
- The Railways recorded zero fatalities in 201920 and 202021 due to consequential accidents.
- In 2020, when questioned by the NITI Aayog chief about the fact that 30,000 people had died over three years due to trespassing and other untoward incidents around railway premises, the Railways said it had no control over casualties due to trespassing or negligence or carelessness on the part of passengers and that efforts were being made to sensitise the public.
Highlights of Chart 3
- Chart 3 shows the share of various causes in train accidents.
- Notably, among the consequential train accidents, 55% had occurred due to negligence or failure of the Railways staff.
- About 28% of accidents were attributed to the failure of persons other than the Railways staff, and 6% had occurred due to equipment failure.
- A preliminary investigation has suggested a possible failure of the signalling system in the Balasore tragedy.
Highlights of Chart 4
- Chart 4 shows the spending on track renewal and signalling as a % of budgetary support of capex
- In the 202324 Union Budget, the Railways received a record allocation of ₹2.40 lakh crore.
- However, when capital expenditure on crucial activities related to safety such as track renewal and signalling and telecom are considered, their shares dwindled or stagnated over the last few years.
- Allocation for track renewal dipped to 7.2% and expenditure proposed for signalling remained at 1.7% in FY24 when considered as a share of budgetary support for capital expenditure.
- The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) fund was created in 201718 with a corpus of ₹ 1 lakh crore to provide financial support for critical safetyrelated works and to curb accidents, including those at unmanned level crossings.
- A Parliamentary Standing Committee report in March 2023 observed that “appropriations to the RRSK has been falling short ever since it was introduced.” The Committee also noted that the Railways did not meet the target of earmarked allocations for the previous five years.
Highlights of Chart 5
- Chart 5 shows the target of track renewal set by the Ministry and the target achieved in that year.
- The major causes of derailments are rail fractures, weld failures, track defects and rolling stock defects.
- As per a Ministry of Railways document on safety performance, the track forms the backbone of the Railways transportation system and needs to be safe.
- According to the Ministry, 4,500 km of track should be renewed annually. However, data show that the target set by the Railways is much lower than the level suggested by the white paper.
- In the past seven years, the Railways could not achieve this level barring one year.
Why is the Safety of Indian Railways Important?
- High volume of passengers: India is the fourth-largest rail network in the world at 68,043 km and almost 3.5 billion people travel on this network annually.
- With a massive population and millions of people relying on the railways for their daily commute, ensuring the safety of Indian Railways becomes crucial.
- The railways carry a significant volume of passengers, and any safety lapse can have catastrophic effects, as witnessed in past accidents.
- 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.
- The economic survey used unreserved railway travel as a proxy for economic migration between 2011 and 2016 and concluded that the annual average inter-state migration was close to nine million.
- Reputation and public trust: The safety of Indian Railways is essential to maintain the public’s trust and confidence in the system.
- Instances of accidents and safety lapses can erode the reputation of the railways and result in passengers losing faith in the reliability and security of train travel.
- 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.
- The focus on safety is not only crucial for passenger well-being but also to align with global best practices and enhance India’s image on the international stage.
- Connectivity: Indian Railways is a lifeline for connectivity, ensuring people from various regions can 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.
- Adhering to safety protocols and regulations is not only necessary to prevent accidents but also to comply with national and international standards, ensuring the railways operate within a framework that safeguards the well-being of passengers.
Challenges to the Safety of Indian Railways
Technical Glitches And System Failures
- The occurrence of technical glitches and system failures, such as the electronic interlocking error in the Balasore train crash, poses a significant challenge to ensuring the safety of Indian Railways.
- These issues can lead to signalling errors, track misalignment, and other critical safety hazards.
Funding Constraints And Prioritization
- The allocation and utilization of funds for safety-related works face challenges.
- The decline in funding for track renewal, diversion of funds to non-priority tasks, and constraints in the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh pose obstacles to effectively addressing safety concerns.
Inadequate Maintenance And Inspections
- The CAG audit reports highlight shortcomings in maintenance activities, inspections, and track renewal processes.
- Shortfalls in inspections, failure to submit or accept inquiry reports after accidents, and declining funding for track maintenance contribute to safety concerns.
Congestion And Overcrowding
- The Indian Railways network experiences severe congestion, especially on major trunk routes, leading to overcrowded trains and increased risks.
- The high volume of passengers and inadequate capacity utilization can impact safety protocols and create challenges in managing passenger flow during emergencies.
Compliance And Implementation
- Ensuring compliance with safety protocols and timely implementation of safety measures across the vast railway network is a complex challenge.
- The need for strict adherence to scheduled timelines for accident inquiries, acceptance of inquiry reports, and effective monitoring mechanisms are emphasized in the reports.
Human Factors
- Human error, such as the incorrect setting of points, mistakes in shunting operations, and overspeeding, has been identified as a significant factor contributing to train accidents.
Various Government Initiatives To Address The Indian Railway Safety Concerns
What is Kavach?
Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK)
Project Mission Raftar
- It is an Indian Railway project, introduced in the Railway Budget of 2016-17 and approved by NITI Aayog in 2017.
- 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.
Other Measures
- 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.
- Implementation of safety measures:Efforts have been made to implement safety measures across the railway network. These include the installation of fire and smoke detection systems in coaches, the provision of fire extinguishers, and the development of technologies like the Kavach application that aids locomotive pilots in triggering the brake system automatically.
- 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.
- Audit reports and recommendations:The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) periodically conducts audits of Indian Railways, identifying shortcomings and making recommendations to address safety concerns. These reports serve as a basis for corrective actions and improvements in safety protocols.
Way Forward
- Conduct thorough investigations: It is essential to conduct comprehensive and timely investigations into train accidents to identify the root causes and determine accountability.
- This includes submitting and accepting inquiry reports within prescribed timelines and ensuring that the findings are made public for analysis and discussion.
- Strengthen 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.
- Allocate 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.
- Enhance 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.
- Implement advanced technologies: Embrace advanced technologies, to enhance safety monitoring, early detection of faults, and real-time decision-making.
- Prioritize safety as a culture: Foster a safety culture across the Indian railways by emphasizing the importance of safety at all levels.
- Encourage reporting of safety concerns, promote safety awareness and education among staff and passengers, and instil a sense of responsibility for safety in every aspect of railway operations.