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Indian Railways and Safety Challenges
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Context
The recent collision involving the GFCJ container train and the Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express, resulting in 11 fatalities and around 40 injuries, has raised critical questions about railway safety. Despite improvements, the Indian Railways faces significant challenges in achieving zero fatalities, and the need for a thorough examination of safety measures is pressing.
Safety Record and Financial Investments:
- Improvements in Safety: Efforts like closing unmanned level crossings and enhancing track maintenance have improved the safety record of Indian Railways. However, the goal of zero fatalities remains unmet.
- Government Investment: The Union government allocates nearly 25% of its total capital expenditure to railways, ensuring ample funding for safety works.
- Resource Availability: With substantial financial investments, the lack of resources can no longer be an excuse for safety lapses.
Issues with Blame and Communication:
- Pattern of Blame: Typically, lower-level functionaries such as train crews and station masters are held responsible for accidents, as seen in the current investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
- Premature Statements: The premature declaration by the Chairperson of the Railway Board about the causes of the accident and the status of the crew highlights issues in information management and communication.
- Insensitive and Erroneous Information: Incorrect statements, such as the erroneous announcement of the crew members' deaths, undermine credibility and sensitivity in crisis communication.
Technological and Managerial Challenges:
- Slow Implementation of Kavach: The slow rollout of Kavach, an indigenous signalling system designed to prevent collisions, is attributed to limited industrial capacity. However, it reflects a lack of focus on safety projects.
- Alternative Systems: The Indian Railways' decision to adopt Kavach over the European ETCS Level II system and the delays in its implementation suggest a need for re-evaluation of safety priorities.
- Safety-Critical Staffing: Overstaffing in non-critical areas contrasts with vacancies in safety-critical positions like loco pilots and signal maintainers, leading to overwork and stress among existing staff.
UPSC Mains Questions:
Q. Critically analyze the safety challenges faced by Indian Railways. Discuss the role of technological advancements like Kavach in mitigating these challenges.
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