India's railway infrastructure is vast but outdated, making it prone to accidents due to various shortcomings. Recently, the Mysore-Darbhanga Express collided with a stationary freight train near Chennai due to a signal failure, highlighting the urgent need for robust safety measures. Despite being one of the world's largest railway networks, such incidents underscore the need for modernization to prevent such accidents. Questions are now being raised about safe travel in trains. Will the people traveling in the train reach their destination safely, or will the train not become a victim of an accident?
In fact, every day, Indian Railways transports about 2.5 crore passengers to their destination on a nationwide track network spanning more than one lakh km. A government railway safety report for the year 2019-20 has found that derailment was responsible for 70 percent of railway accidents, which was more than 68 percent last year. This is followed by cases of fire and collision in the train, which are responsible for 14 and eight percent of the total accidents, respectively. The report counted 40 derailment incidents related to 33 passenger trains and seven freight trains during the year 2019-20. Of these, 17 derailment incidents occurred due to track defects. While nine incidents were caused by defects in trains, engines, coaches, and wagons.
Derailments have been a major problem for the railways. A train can derail due to a number of reasons. Poor track maintenance, faulty coaches, and driving errors. To prevent train accidents, it is important to keep the tracks maintained. Metallic railway tracks expand in the summer months and contract in winter due to temperature fluctuations. They require regular maintenance. The slightest negligence can lead to a major accident. Tightening loose tracks, replacing sleepers, and, among other things, lubricating and adjusting switches. Such track inspections are carried out on foot, trolleys, locomotives, and other vehicles.
Infrastructure deficiencies are contributing to accidents, with many sections still relying on manual signaling, increasing the risk of human error, a major factor in accidents. The 2024 Mysore-Darbhanga collision was caused by a signaling failure that led the train to take the wrong track. Routes such as Delhi-Kolkata are heavily congested, often leading to delays and compromising safety due to increased pressure on the network.
The absence of ATP systems such as Kavach makes it difficult to prevent collisions caused by overs peeding or signal violations. Old tracks, coupled with poor maintenance schedules, often lead to derailments and accidents. The 2017 Kalinga Utkal Express derailment was attributed to poor track conditions. Overworked staff, especially locomotive pilots, often work under stressful conditions, leading to errors.
A 2021 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighted that a lack of trained staff directly affects safety. Many Indian trains use old coaches that lack modern safety features such as crashworthy designs.
The 2023 Odisha accident involved old ICF coaches, which were less impact-resistant than modern LHB coaches. The lack of a robust emergency response mechanism increases the damage when an accident occurs. In the 2023 Balasore accident, it took more than 6 hours to clear the debris, delaying crucial rescue operations.
The 'Kavach' system has played a very important role in overcoming these shortcomings. The Kavach system automatically stops trains when they cross a red signal, preventing dangerous collisions. The Ministry of Railways implemented Kavach on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes, resulting in a reduction in incidents. Kavach detects when two trains are on the same track and automatically applies brakes to prevent a collision. During testing, the system successfully averted potential accidents on the South-Central Railway network. Kavach ensures that trains do not exceed the speed limit. By automating critical tasks, Kavach reduces the workload on locomotive pilots, reducing human errors.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's 2021 report highlighted that a lack of trained staff directly impacts safety. Many Indian trains use old coaches that lack modern safety features such as crashworthy designs.
The 2023 Odisha accident involved old ICF coaches, which were less impact-resistant than modern LHB coaches. The lack of a robust emergency response mechanism exacerbates the damage in case of an accident. The 2023 Balasore accident took over 6 hours to clear the debris, delaying crucial rescue operations.
The 'Kavach' system has played a vital role in addressing these shortcomings. The Kavach system automatically stops trains when they cross a red signal, preventing dangerous collisions. The Railway Ministry implemented Kavach on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes, resulting in a reduction in incidents. Kavach detects when two trains are on the same track and automatically applies brakes to prevent a collision. During trials, the system successfully averted potential accidents on the South Central Railway network. Kavach ensures that trains do not exceed the speed limit. By automating critical tasks, Kavach reduces the workload on locomotive pilots, minimizing human errors.
Tests have shown a 50% reduction in fatigue-related errors among pilots using Kavach-protected trains. The integration of Kavach signals a shift towards a more digitalized and automated railway system while addressing several infrastructure challenges. The National Rail Plan 2030 envisages Kavach being extended to 34,000 km of high-density routes. The system can be implemented at 2% of the annual railway capital expenditure, providing a cost-effective way to modernize the network.
₹1, 112.57 crore has been allocated in the Railway Budget 2024 to expand the Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system across major railway corridors. By providing real-time data on train locations, Kavach facilitates quick response in case of accidents, thereby improving safety outcomes. After Kavach implementation, emergency response time on the Bengaluru-Chennai route has reduced.
There is not one reason but many reasons for train derailment. The main reason is considered to be a mechanical fault on the railway track, i.e., the failure of the equipment installed on the railway track. Apart from this, these accidents happen when there are cracks on the tracks. At the same time, loosening of the equipment that holds the train coaches can also be a reason for this. Apart from this, breakage of the axle on which the train bogie is placed can also be a possible reason for the train to derail. Wearing of wheels from the train tracks due to continuous movement can also be the reason for the train to derail. The structure of the tracks changes many times during the summer season. Apart from this, turning a fast moving train at high speed or applying brakes can also be the reason for the train to leave the track.
The only way to prevent this is to keep the repair work going. If any defect is noticed, it should be rectified immediately. While Indian Railways faces significant infrastructure deficiencies, the Kavach system offers a transformative solution to enhance safety and efficiency. By modernizing signaling systems, preventing collisions, and improving train operations, Kavach can address many of the deficiencies that contribute to accidents. It is important to expand its implementation across the network to ensure safe rail travel in India.

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