- India has witnessed a worrying recurrence of train accidents caused by technical failures & human error in the recent.
- Staffing Shortages in Safety-Critical Roles: Out of the one million positions that are directly engaged in operations and maintenance, there are more than 1.5 lakh vacancies in safety/operational posts.
- Infrastructure Constraint: Persistent concerns exist over delayed track renewal, outdated signalling systems, and frequent damage to signal and communication cables during maintenance and construction works — issues that the Railway Board has warned could have “catastrophic consequences.”
- Inadequate Safety Systems: Slow deployment means that most of the routes remain without a KAVACH, leaving them vulnerable to human-error or signalling failures.
- Human Error: It remains a key contributor like errors in signal setting, point switching, train control, fatigue due to long hours. Read More
Recurring Rail Tragedies in India
Context
What are the Major Causes of Accidents?