Indian Railways Stress Factors

Syllabus: Railways infrastructure

Source: TH

Context: On October 17, eight coaches of the Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Express derailed in Assam with no casualties. On October 11, a passenger train rear-ended a stationary goods train near Chennai, also with no casualties. Indian trains have been involved in multiple accidents of late.

Key stress factors:

• Accidents and safety concerns: Accidents have reduced from 1,390 per year in the 1960s to 40 in 2023-24, but recent high-profile incidents like the Balasore crash raise serious safety issues. 55.8% of accidents are due to human error, with equipment failure accounting for 6.2%.

• Accidents have reduced from 1,390 per year in the 1960s to 40 in 2023-24, but recent high-profile incidents like the Balasore crash raise serious safety issues.

• 55.8% of accidents are due to human error, with equipment failure accounting for 6.2%.

• Slow implementation of ‘Kavach’ technology: ‘Kavach’ covers only 2% of the railway network despite being a crucial safety feature designed to prevent collisions. Its high cost and slow implementation hinder wider adoption.

• ‘Kavach’ covers only 2% of the railway network despite being a crucial safety feature designed to prevent collisions. Its high cost and slow implementation hinder wider adoption.

• Financial challenges and operating ratio: The operating ratio for 2024-25 is projected at 98.2%, meaning the Railways spends nearly as much as it earns, leaving little for upgrades. Dependence on Extra-Budgetary Resources has grown, increasing fiscal pressure.

• The operating ratio for 2024-25 is projected at 98.2%, meaning the Railways spends nearly as much as it earns, leaving little for upgrades.

• Dependence on Extra-Budgetary Resources has grown, increasing fiscal pressure.

• Freight services and revenue imbalance: Freight accounts for 65% of revenue, but inefficiencies and slow freight movement (26 km/hr in 2016) dampen growth. Coal, which contributes 45% of freight volume, faces decline due to a shift towards renewable energy.

• Freight accounts for 65% of revenue, but inefficiencies and slow freight movement (26 km/hr in 2016) dampen growth. Coal, which contributes 45% of freight volume, faces decline due to a shift towards renewable energy.

• Underinvestment in infrastructure: Capital outlay for track renewal is inadequate, and the depreciation reserves have shrunk by 96%, weakening the ability to maintain assets.

• Capital outlay for track renewal is inadequate, and the depreciation reserves have shrunk by 96%, weakening the ability to maintain assets.

• Passenger services losses: In 2021-22, passenger services incurred a loss of ₹68,269 crore. Efforts like Vande Bharat trains increase revenue, but rationalising fares is crucial.

• In 2021-22, passenger services incurred a loss of ₹68,269 crore. Efforts like Vande Bharat trains increase revenue, but rationalising fares is crucial.

About Kavach system:

• Indigenous development: Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railways, in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd, HBL Power Systems Ltd, and Kernex Microsystems.

• Functionality: It uses electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) installed in locomotives, signalling systems, and tracks to communicate using ultra-high radio frequencies. These systems control train brakes and alert drivers based on pre-programmed logic.

• Field testing: Field tests for Kavach on passenger trains began in 2016, showing promising results in preventing collisions and enhancing safety.

• Applications: Prevents Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding by alerting the loco pilot. Automatically applies brakes when it detects another train within a predefined distance. Provides signals to the loco pilot ahead of time, useful in low-visibility conditions. Automatically controls train speed if the pilot fails to respond. Assists in driving during harsh weather conditions like dense fog.

• Prevents Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding by alerting the loco pilot.

• Automatically applies brakes when it detects another train within a predefined distance.

• Provides signals to the loco pilot ahead of time, useful in low-visibility conditions.

• Automatically controls train speed if the pilot fails to respond.

• Assists in driving during harsh weather conditions like dense fog.

Potential solutions:

• Improving safety with ‘Kavach’ and signalling upgrade: Prioritising the completion of Kavach across high-density routes and upgrading signalling systems could prevent future accidents and improve operational safety.

• Prioritising the completion of Kavach across high-density routes and upgrading signalling systems could prevent future accidents and improve operational safety.

• Strengthening financial health: A better balance between passenger fares and freight rates, fare rationalisation, can address financial gaps. Expanding premium services and curbing losses from subsidised services is also essential.

• A better balance between passenger fares and freight rates, fare rationalisation, can address financial gaps. Expanding premium services and curbing losses from subsidised services is also essential.

• Infrastructure upgradation: Increasing investment in track renewal and wagon replacements will enhance efficiency and reduce accidents. Funds should also be allocated for capacity expansion and completing the DFC projects.

• Increasing investment in track renewal and wagon replacements will enhance efficiency and reduce accidents. Funds should also be allocated for capacity expansion and completing the DFC projects.

• Leveraging technology and data: Introducing AI-based systems for real-time monitoring of tracks, improving training, and better staff management could improve both safety and efficiency.

• Introducing AI-based systems for real-time monitoring of tracks, improving training, and better staff management could improve both safety and efficiency.

Conclusion:

Addressing these stress factors requires a comprehensive approach that includes investments in technology, safety improvements, financial reforms, and sustainable growth strategies. A well-balanced strategy between affordability and profitability is crucial for securing the future of India’s key public transportation system.

Insta Links:

• Railway-accident-data-2019-2024

• Reforms-in-India-railway

With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements: (2015)

1. 1.The decomposition of human waste in the bio toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.

1. 1.Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: d)