Year Ender 2023 - Indian Railways- Measures taken to improve safety in train operations

Year Ender 2023 | Indian Railways: Measures taken to improve safety in train operations

The year 2023 was a high-octane one for the Indian Railways as it introduced many Vande Bharata Express trains and improved the infrastructure of railway stations across the country. However, the year also witnessed some train-related mishaps.

Here are some of the steps taken by the national carrier to improve safety in train operations:

2) For enhancing safety, interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11093 Level Crossing Gates.

3) At 6377 stations, complete Track Circuiting of railway stations to enhance safety for verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided.

4) To ensure alertness of Loco Pilots, all locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD).

5) In fog-affected areas, a GPS-based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots. It helps loco pilots to know the distance of the approaching landmarks like signals, level crossing gates, etc.

6) Through regular inspection, the safety of railway bridges is ensured. Based upon the conditions assessed during these inspections, the requirement of repair/rehabilitation of bridges is taken up.

7) For the safety of passengers, conventional ICF design coaches are being replaced with LHB design coaches.

8) Monitoring of track geometry by TRC (Track Recording Cars) and OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System).

9) For observance of safe practices, inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff.

10) To keep a check on rail accidents across India, preventive maintenance of railway assets (coaches and wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.

11) In 2017-18, Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) was introduced for renewal/upgradation/replacement of critical safety assets, with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore for five years. From 2017-18 till 2021-22, on RRSK works, a gross expenditure of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore was incurred.