The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Indian Railways, under the guidance of the Ministry of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, has embarked on a substantial journey to enhance passenger safety across its vast network. This commitment was articulated by the Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, who outlined the multifaceted approach the railways have adopted.
A significant stride in this direction is the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), introduced in 2017-18. This fund, with an initial corpus of ₹1 lakh crore for five years, focuses on the replacement, renewal, and upgradation of critical safety assets. By the end of 2021-22, ₹1.08 lakh crores had been expended on works related to RRSK. Recognizing the importance of continuing these efforts, the government extended the currency of RRSK for another five years, with a Gross Budgetary Support of ₹45,000 crores.
In an effort to minimize human error-related accidents, the railways have implemented Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems at 6,521 stations. This system centralizes the operation of points and signals, thereby enhancing operational safety. Parallel to this, safety at level crossing gates, a critical aspect of railway safety, has been fortified by providing interlocking at 11,143 level crossing gates.
The railways have also prioritized the verification of track occupancy through electronic means by instituting complete track circuiting at 6,558 stations. This technological advancement plays a pivotal role in preventing accidents. Complementing these technological measures are detailed safety instructions and protocols related to signaling, maintenance, and operations, ensuring that all processes adhere to the highest safety standards.
Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) have been equipped in all locomotives to ensure the alertness of loco pilots, a key factor in operational safety. Additionally, the railways have addressed the challenges posed by foggy weather conditions by providing retro-reflective sigma boards and GPS-based Fog Safety Devices (FSD) to loco pilots in affected areas.
The Indian Railways has adopted a modern track structure, employing high-quality materials like 60 kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Pre-stressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with elastic fastening, and fan-shaped layout turnouts on PSC sleepers. This is complemented by the mechanization of track laying activities to minimize human errors.
Regular monitoring of track geometry is carried out through the Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) and Track Recording Cars (TRC), and patrolling of railway tracks is conducted to identify potential issues such as weld or rail fractures.
In addition to these infrastructural and technological upgrades, the railways have also focused on the preventive maintenance of assets like coaches and wagons to prevent accidents. A significant change in the rolling stock has been the replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with more modern LHB design coaches.
The elimination of all unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge routes by January 2019 stands as a testament to the railways’ commitment to safety. Regular bridge inspections and subsequent repair or rehabilitation work ensure the structural integrity of these vital components of the rail network.
Addressing fire safety, the railways have taken proactive steps by displaying statutory fire notices in all coaches and providing advanced fire detection systems in newly manufactured power cars and pantry cars. Progressive fitment of these systems in existing coaches is also being undertaken.
The staff, the backbone of railway operations, undergoes regular counselling and training, focusing on safety practices. The concept of a Rolling Block, introduced in Indian Railway (Open Lines) General Rules, allows for advanced maintenance and repair planning, enhancing overall safety.
A landmark development in railway safety is the indigenous development of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, ‘Kavach.’ This system aids loco pilots in maintaining specified speed limits and automatically applies brakes if needed. ‘Kavach’ has been deployed on 1465 route km and 139 locomotives on South Central Railway, with plans for further expansion. The implementation involves the installation of Station Kavach at each station, RFID tags along the track, and Loco Kavach on every locomotive, along with a communication backbone comprising towers and optical fiber.
The Indian Railways’ multifaceted approach to safety, incorporating technology, infrastructure, and human resource development, underscores its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety for its passengers. With these comprehensive measures, the railways continue to evolve, aiming to provide a safe, efficient, and reliable mode of transport for millions of passengers across the country.