Saturday, 05 Oct, 2024
By: Vaishali S.
Image Source:CNN
In 2000-01, there were 473 consequential train accidents. This number decreased to 194 by 2005-06. In 2014-15 and 2022-23, the number of such accidents further declined to 135 and 48 respectively.
The government has sanctioned 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the railway infrastructure sector, opening opportunities for various projects, including high-speed railways, railway lines linking coal mines and ports, electrification projects, high-speed tracks, and suburban corridors. Between the financial years 2021 and 2023, the Indian railway sector received about $1.23 billion in FDI. Furthermore, from April 2000 to March 2021, FDI in railway-related components surpassed $1.2 billion. These expansions aim to enhance infrastructure and foster growth in the railway sector.
However, the year 2024 brought significant challenges for Indian railways. In the first half of the year alone, there were seven major rail accidents, including the derailment of the Mumbai-Howrah Mail, a goods train in Odisha, and the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express. These unfortunate incidents have resulted in serious losses. However, if we observe the number of consequential train accidents over the years, we can notice a sharp decline.
Interestingly, the decrease in the number of accidents has been accompanied by a significant increase in budgetary allocation. Over the past decade, the railway budget has grown eightfold. It rose from ₹26,000 crores in FY 2013-14 to ₹2,55,390 crores in FY 2024-25.
Examining the causes of rail accidents reveals that derailments are a primary factor, with a significant portion attributed to human error. In the 2021-2022 period, approximately 55% of accidents were caused by human-induced factors, including errors by road users, passengers, and miscreants.
Rail safety must be a top priority for the country, especially given the recent mishaps. Indian Railways has implemented an initiative called "Kavach," an automatic train protection system. However, despite increasing budget allocations, there is insufficient emphasis on this vital aspect of rail safety. Both revenue and capital expenditures are essential for improving safety. The funding for KAVACH comes from the capital expenditure budget, which has seen a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Yet, the Budget lacks specifics on the exact amount allocated for KAVACH and does not provide clear details on the annual expenditure for this technology.
The recent accidents cannot be excused simply by noting the overall decline in incidents compared to previous years, as this would suggest a serious lapse in management. Furthermore, the failure to implement AI-driven tools for improving safety analysis and generating actionable alerts represents a major oversight. AI can handle vast amounts of digital data from station loggers and locomotive microprocessors, effectively identifying and prioritizing critical anomalies for senior railway officials' attention. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the future safety and reliability of the railway system.
