The Aakhya Weekly #105 | Fast-Tracking Change: The Indian Railways Imperative
The Aakhya Weekly #105 | Fast-Tracking Change: The Indian Railways Imperative
In Focus: Reshaping India's Railways for Safety and Efficiency
By Mohini Tiwari
Indian Railways, a crucial component of India's transportation infrastructure, has recently faced scrutiny over various alarming issues. As both passenger and freight traffic rapidly increase, there has been a concerning rise in railway accidents, prompting widespread public apprehension about safety oversight and the overall state of the railway network. Recent reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have highlighted troubling trends of signal failures and rail fractures. The 2023 Balasore train collision, attributed to factors like "signalling interference" and "signal jump," has intensified these matters, raising questions about the efficacy of railway safety regulations and their enforcement by Indian Railways' leadership.
Operating around 12,000 trains daily and connecting 8,000 stations, Indian Railways is vital to the nation's economy, transporting about 23 million passengers each day. Given its importance, the previous government allocated a substantial ₹2.55 lakh crore for Indian Railways in the Interim Budget 2024-25, a 5.8% increase year on year. Despite these significant investments and technological upgrades, questions remain regarding passenger safety, infrastructure, and the overall operational efficiency of Indian Railways.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure
To resolve issues linked to safety and infrastructure upgradation, Indian Railways has developed the National Rail Plan (NRP) for India - 2030, aimed at modernising the railway system and meeting the projected demand. Additionally, the government has also allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the railway sector. However, addressing these pressing issues necessitates a multi-faceted approach and the government is aligning its priorities towards ensuring safety, increasing capacities, and cracking down on ticketless travel, among others. For instance, efforts are underway to focus on upgrading safety systems like ‘Kavach’, which has a proven record of safety assurance since its inception. Similarly, other priorities include infrastructure development to enhance its freight and passenger-handling capacity, evidenced by investments made in projects like the dedicated freight corridors or manufacturing of new coaches. Other initiatives focus on operating more trains and expediting the introduction of new trains, including the Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Vande Metro series, to streamline the performance. In line with these goals, Indian Railways is also working towards implementing stricter penalties for violations of safety rules, and thorough inspections of tracks, and signalling equipment. Concerns persist, however, over the consistency and effectiveness of these administrative measures, given how similar efforts have been made earlier, with mixed outcomes. The real test for the railways would entail balancing the budget spending on modernisation with spending optimally on safety mechanisms.
Infrastructure Investments in Indian Railways
The Ministry of Railways recently underscored the profound economic implications of investments in India's railway infrastructure. The Minister highlighted their potential to yield returns up to four times the initial investment, owing to the multiplier effect. This impact resonates across approximately 250 industries, encompassing sectors like hospitality, information technology, and telecommunications. These investments play a significant role in upgrading and enlarging the railway infrastructure, mitigating safety risks and reducing rail accidents.
Despite these substantial investments, safety standards are yet to be achieved. According to the Performance Audit on Derailment, nearly three-quarters of the 217 consequential rail accidents between 2017-18 and 2020-21 were attributed to derailments, and in response, the government introduced the Kavach system. Its delayed implementation, however, underscores the urgent need to enhance safety measures across the railway network. In this context, the Kavach system is currently operational on only 1,465 km of tracks and 139 locomotives on the South Central Railway, and its expansion remains pending, amidst a plethora of administrative challenges with scaling.
Kavach System: The Rail Safety
Developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with three domestic companies, the Kavach system has made significant strides in enhancing railway safety in India. Its core mission is to bolster safety measures by regulating train speeds and aiding operators in swiftly identifying potential hazards, even amidst challenging weather conditions. Operating seamlessly, it automatically triggers brakes if the train's driver fails to react promptly. This is achieved through RFID tags strategically positioned along tracks and within station yards, facilitating precise tracking of train positions and directions. Upon activation, trains within a 5-km radius halt, ensuring safe passage for nearby trains and mitigating collision risks. Critical to its functionality, the On Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA) empowers operators to monitor signals effectively, particularly in low visibility scenarios, thereby reducing dependence on manual visual checks. Recent tests in 2022 underscored Kavach's efficacy, demonstrating its capability to avert rear-end collisions by halting a locomotive just a few hundred meters from another ahead. Moreover, the system facilitates emergency communication by transmitting SoS messages during crises.
The Government is taking substantive actions to avoid human error by modernising the training of locomotive drivers to ensure safe and efficient train operations, in a bid to enhance the alertness and proficiency of train drivers. This initiative is part of the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) which includes full-replica cab simulators, generic driver desk cab simulators, and compact desktop simulators, similar to those used in the US, France, and Spain. Increased simulator-based training hours will enhance crew skills in train management and safety, reduce energy costs through efficient driving, and improve productivity. At the policy level, the intent behind this comprehensive training strategy aligns with global best practices. Furthermore, it anticipates the future training needs of Indian Railways amid capacity augmentation and electrification efforts.
Introducing new technologies like the Kavach system and ambitious projects like the NRP system are pivotal in ushering in higher safety standards, however, the government must prioritise immediate repairs and enhancements of existing routes and tracks. Addressing these foundational issues is essential for ensuring safety and reliability. A balanced approach is necessary, focusing on modern innovations combined with the enhancement of current infrastructure to improve overall efficiency and passenger experience in the Indian Railways.
Top Story of the Week
Showcasing India's Cultural Legacy to the World Through YouTube Dialogues
Aakhya India collaborated with YouTube on the recently concluded ‘YouTube Dialogues: Taking India to the World’ event. The event underscored YouTube's pivotal role in promoting Indian culture on a global stage, serving as a powerful medium to showcase the country's rich heritage and diverse traditions.
Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The event commenced with insightful keynotes from two distinguished personalities. Amb. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary and Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023, set the tone by emphasising the transformative power of digital platforms in reshaping global perceptions of India's rich and diverse culture. Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, followed this with a compelling address highlighting the pivotal role of the creator economy and the necessity for continued collaborative efforts to sustain and enhance India's digital presence.
One of the standout moments was the engaging fireside chat featuring Shri Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and celebrity chef Ranveer Brar. Their conversation delved into the intersection of tourism and culinary arts, discussing how these elements are essential in preserving and promoting Indian culture and heritage. Adding further depth to the event was a dynamic panel discussion with Shri Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting-II), Ministry of I&B and Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation, Shri Yugal Kishore Joshi, and four prominent YouTube creators – Anita Bokepalli, Harish Bali, Jeetendra Advani, and Paula Mcglynn. The discussion was both engaging and interesting as it explored the layered journeys of content creators, the challenges faced while producing content and the satisfaction they receive while creating content which resonates with their viewers. The panel also saw two seasoned bureaucrats share their views about digital media platforms and how they are important not only in preserving and showcasing Indian culture but also in propagating traditional Indian practices which lead to maintaining a sustainable environment.
The event also provided a valuable platform for building collaborations and facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas among industry leaders and digital influencers. A notable aspect of the event was the coming together of various sectors. The presence of important government stakeholders provided valuable insights into the policy landscape and underscored the government's commitment to promoting digital content. This collaboration between industry leaders, civil society, government representatives, and content creators reflected a holistic approach to fostering India's digital narrative and ensures that future policies are more inclusive of diverse views and perspectives.
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