The Government of India has taken a series of measures to bolster safety standards across the expansive Indian Railways network, focusing on infrastructure, technology, and personnel training. These initiatives aim to prevent accidents, improve efficiency, and ensure the well-being of passengers and railway staff. A press release on these measures was issued on December 15, 2023.
One major initiative is the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), introduced in 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore for five years. The RRSK has witnessed a gross expenditure of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore from 2017-18 to 2021-22, and the government extended its currency for another five years in 2022-23 with a Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs. 45,000 crores. This fund is dedicated to the replacement, renewal, and upgradation of critical safety assets.
Several technological advancements have been implemented, including Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems at 6498 stations to eliminate accidents due to human failure. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates at 11137 locations and complete track circuiting of stations at 6548 sites further enhance safety by providing electrical means to verify track occupancy.
The government has emphasized vigilance with the installation of Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) on all locomotives to ensure the alertness of Loco Pilots. Additionally, the deployment of Retro-reflective sigma boards and GPS-based Fog Safety Devices (FSD) aims to enhance visibility and awareness during foggy weather conditions.
For track infrastructure, the use of modern track structures, mechanization of track laying through track machines, and the adoption of advanced welding technologies such as Flash Butt Welding contribute to reducing human errors and ensuring safety. Regular inspections, monitoring through technology systems like OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars), and patrolling of railway tracks are integral to safety protocols.
The concept of Rolling Block introduced in Indian Railways General Rules involves planning maintenance, repair, and replacement on a rolling basis, executed as per a 52-week plan. The government has also focused on eliminating unmanned level crossings, ensuring the safety of railway bridges through regular inspections, and promoting fire safety awareness among passengers.
The recent implementation of “Kavach,” an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, marks a technological milestone. Deployed on 1465 route km and 139 locomotives, Kavach aids loco pilots in adhering to specified speed limits and ensures safe train operations during adverse weather conditions.
