The Balasore train tragedy has been prima facie attributed to deliberate interference with systems.
As multiple probes get underway, including one by CBI, data shows that human error has been behind a majority of rail accidents in India over the past few decadesAccident-prone despite safeguardsGovernment documents underline a raft of measures to eliminate human failure in 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 has been adopted to avoid train accidents/collisions on account of human error or speeding.Safety measures have also been taken on the passenger side, like in the rollout of superior and safer Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches.
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 getting proper block of stretches, poor maintenance of equipment, etc.Signal at every kilometre: CAGA 2022 report by the CAG on Derailment in Indian Railways refers to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, which noted that there has been a substantial increase in the number of signals and loco-pilot encounters a signal almost every kilometre of his run and almost every minute he has to see a signal and accordingly control the train.
But there is no technological support available to the loco-pilots and they have to depend on vigilant watch of the signal for controlling the train.
It said the rail ministry has failed to assess the root cause of continuous and possible repeated lapses by railway staff and therefore failed completely to curb such accidents.04:18Odisha train accident: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reveals reason behind tragedy, says not due to KavachThe railways safety directorate says that even under optimum field conditions and with the best of intentions, a human being is likely to commit a mistake from time to time.
Thus, multiple redundancies are built into processes and steps have been taken to ensure that equipment is used to prevent human error.
However, it notes that another reason for high incidence of human failures is that technical safeguards and backups do not necessarily replace human effort.
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.
But the system is only active along 2% of Indias rail network.1/15Odisha train accident: Restoration work captured in picturesPreviousNextShow Captionslt;p><br /><br /><b>Odisha train accident: Restoration work captured in pictures</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>Work on repairing tracks and overhead electric lines which had snapped is also going on, said officials.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>"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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>"It is our responsibility to establish normalcy as early as possible.
Restoration work is underway.
Indian Railways is running free trains and logistic facilities are also being provided, said Dharmendra Pradhan.
</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>"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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>"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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>The triple train pile-up near Balasore on June 2 disrupted passenger and goods traffic between important industrial centres.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>Railway officials said that all 21 coaches which capsized due to the derailment of trains at Bahanaga Bazar station have been grounded.
Now the site is being cleared, he said.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>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.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>Seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Teams, five Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) Units and 24 Fire Services and Emergency units were involved in rescue operations.</b><br /><br /><br /></p>lt;p><br /><br /><b>As of now the down main line has been restored at 12:05 hrs today," tweets Railways Minister Ashwini on June 4.
</b><br /><br /><br /></p>Earlier this year, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Kavach is on a par with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which is used across the world, including in China, South Korea and Australia.Since their introduction about 50 years ago, Japans bullet trains have 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