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Indian Railways is the fourth-largest railway network in the world, covering over 67,000 kilometers of track. It operates around 22,000 trains daily, transporting 23 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of freight. Established in 1853, it is a vital part of India’s infrastructure and economy. Many reasons have contributed to the rise in rail accidents in India in the recent past. Some of them are as follows:
Reasons
1. Derailments: A significant number of train accidents in India are caused by derailments. These are often due to the expansion and contraction of railway tracks with seasonal temperature changes, necessitating constant inspections. However, a federal audit revealed that there are often substantial deficiencies in these inspections, ranging from 30% to 100%.
2. Signal Failures: Another major problem that has resulted in disastrous accidents is signal failures. For instance, on June 2, 2023, train tragedy in Odisha, where a passenger train was inadvertently redirected into a loop line, resulting in a collision with a halted freight train due to a signal malfunction. This sad incident brought to light the dire repercussions of signal failures.
3. Infrastructure and Maintenance: Much of the Indian railway system’s ancient infrastructure, which was built during the British colonial era, has outlived its usefulness. Many of the tracks and equipment are still out of date even with recent efforts made to modernize the system. Additionally, there is not enough time for essential maintenance due to the heavy traffic on the rail network from both freight and passenger trains using the same tracks.
4. Funding and Safety Investments: While the Indian government has boosted rail expenditures, the majority of these funds have been allocated to improving comfort and speed rather than safety. A 2021 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India highlighted that spending on basic maintenance had declined since 2017, contributing to lapses in safety.
5. Safety Initiatives: Indian Railways has implemented a number of safety-enhancing measures in response to these problems. The goal of the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’s formation in 2017 was to modernize vital safety components. New coaches and wagons also have technological advancements like upgraded braking systems, redesigned couplers, and automated smoke and fire detection systems. Notwithstanding these endeavors, noteworthy obstacles persist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while efforts are being made to enhance the safety and reliability of India’s railways, ongoing issues with infrastructure, maintenance, and human error continue to pose serious risks. Addressing these challenges will require sustained investment and comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety of millions of passengers and goods transported daily across the country.
Images in this article has been used for representation purposes only.
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