INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
As multiple probes get underway, including one by CBI, data shows that human error has been behind a majority of rail accidents in India
the running of trains.These include an electronic interlocking system (a safety mechanism that prevents conflicting train movements on
tracks by controlling the signals and points or switches in a coordinated manner)
Electronic interlocking is completely computer-based and without any human element.Further, a signalling system based on European technology
Experts said LHB coaches prevented a higher toll in the Balasore mishap.Despite these, human error has been behind the majority of
consequential train accidents in recent years
Consequential train accidents are those that have serious repercussions, including loss of human life, injury, loss of railway property and
interruption to rail traffic.Examples of human errors include overspeeding, passing signals at danger, carrying out maintenance without
Thus, multiple redundancies are built into processes and steps have been taken to ensure that equipment is used to prevent human error
Staff becomes complacent with the knowledge that technical support is available for flagging their mistakes, it says.How Europe, Japan
approach rail safetyIndian Railways has started deploying Kavach, an indigenously developed anti-collision system that automatically applies
brakes on trains when an obstruction is detected ahead on the same track
Kavach helps train operators avoid overspeeding and passing signals at dangerous speeds
If two trains are approaching each other on the same track, SOS signals are sent to both trains and Kavach automatically stops the trains at
least 300 metres from each other
picturesPreviousNextShow Captionslt;p>?Odisha train accident: Restoration work captured in pictures?lt;p>?Two days after one of India's
worst train accidents in Odisha's Balasore district, most railway tracks have been cleared of wrecked railway coaches.?lt;p>?The work was
done overnight by a team of bulldozers and cranes so that railway services on the main trunk line connecting eastern and southern India can
be restored, said railway officials.?lt;p>?Work on repairing tracks and overhead electric lines which had snapped is also going on, said
officials.?lt;p>?"Restoration work is going on at a fast pace ..
single line track work, signalling system has almost been completed, overhead electricity work of one track is going on, it will be
completed very soon," said railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.?lt;p>?He also said that the big challenge is to restore tracks so that the
railway link between two important wings of the country can start functioning
"By June 6 we should be able to do it," the minister said.?lt;p>?"It is our responsibility to establish normalcy as early as possible
Restoration work is underway
?lt;p>?"We have teams working round the clock
Restoring at least two lines -up and down - is absolutely essential as quickly as possible," a senior railway official at the site
said.?lt;p>?"Capsized bogies have been removed...2 bogies of goods train also have been removed...work of connecting track is going on from
one side...will finish the work as soon as possible," says Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, CPRO at South Eastern Railway.?lt;p>?As per the Ministry
of Railways, the restoration work is going in full swing and the officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident
site.?lt;p>?The triple train pile-up near Balasore on June 2 disrupted passenger and goods traffic between important industrial
centres.?lt;p>?Railway officials said that all 21 coaches which capsized due to the derailment of trains at Bahanaga Bazar station have been
Now the site is being cleared, he said.?lt;p>?Manpower of over 1000 people engaged in the work
More than 7 Poclain Machines, 2 Accident Relief Trains, and 3-4 Railway and Road Cranes have been deployed, the ministry stated.?lt;p>?Seven
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Teams, five Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) Units and 24 Fire Services and Emergency
Minister Ashwini on June 4
?Earlier this year, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Kavach is on a par with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which is used
carried 10 billion passengers and seen no casualties from derailments or collisions
They use the Automatic Train Control system, which eliminates trackside signals in favour of centralised and automated traffic control
Trains, which routinely travel at over 350kmph, are also equipped with sensors that can detect obstructions or impending collisions and
automatically apply the brakes to stop a train moving at top speed within 300 metres
Japanese trains and tracks also use devices that prevent trains from colliding with walls or tipping over in the event of an earthquake
Source: Lok Sabha Secretariat Indian Railways Safety Performance Fact Sheet (2019), Indian Railways, CAG Derailment in Indian Railways
report 2022WatchBalasore Train Crash: Know the list of 6 deadliest train accidents in history of India
