Reason for Kanchenjunga train accident- Loco pilot ignored the signal, how drivers make mistakes

New Delhi: The Kanchenjunga Express going to Sealdah in West Bengal met with an accident near New Jalpaiguri on Monday morning. It was hit from behind by a freight train. The Kanchenjunga Express was standing here when a freight train coming from behind hit it. After the collision with the freight train, 3 bogies of the train derailed. It is being told that the loco pilot of the train had ignored the signal. Railway Board Chairman Jaya Verma Sinha said that the Kanchenjunga train has met with an accident. The driver of the freight train hit the passenger train. Initial information has revealed that the driver of the freight train had ignored the signal. Due to this, the rear guard’s coach of the passenger train was completely damaged and there were two parcel van coaches in front, which were damaged. Let us understand what are the reasons for train accidents in India.

Train accidents due to human error or negligence

The railway staff who operate, maintain and manage the trains and tracks often suffer from fatigue, neglect, resentment and corruption, which increases the risk of ignoring safety rules and procedures. This becomes a major reason for human error or negligence.

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Signal failure due to human error or negligence

Human error or negligence often includes giving wrong signals, miscommunication, over speeding or ignoring flaws. Many times railway staff do not get adequate training or communication skills. This affects their performance and coordination.

Such accidents happen due to signal failure

Failure of the signalling system that controls the movement and direction of trains also becomes the cause of accidents. The reasons behind this are technical fault, power outage or human error. Giving wrong signal puts the train on the wrong track, which increases the chances of it colliding with another train. This was the main reason for the Odisha train accident last year.
The rail accident in West Bengal changed the routes of many trains, see the list here

Unmanned crossings (UMLCs) are also a big reason

Many times unmanned crossings are also the cause of train accidents. Although this old system has been removed in most places in the country, it is still in place in some places. In 2018-19, 16 percent of all train accidents in the entire country were caused by these unmanned crossings.

Structural flaws also become the reason

Railway’s structural flaws also often become the reason for train accidents. These include problems like bad track, dilapidated bridge or broken electric wires. Actually, the reason behind this is lack of timely repairs, being too old, violent protests or natural disasters.

Why are these flaws not getting resolved?

Actually, most of the railway structures are built in the 19th and 20th century. If these are not upgraded according to modern times and new standards, then such accidents can happen. Railways also have to struggle with lack of funds at many places. Corruption is also a big issue, which the railways have to deal with.

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Excessive load on many routes

Many routes of the railways are so busy that even at 100% operational capacity, work is affected. Actually, overloading and workload is very high on these busy routes.

What measures have the railways taken so far

Railways has created the National Rail Safety Fund. It was started in 2017-18 with a fund of Rs 1 lakh crore. Under this, track repairs, signalling projects, bridge rehabilitation etc. are done.

What is the armor that is discussed

This is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (AWACH), whose installation has been talked about for the past several years. It is discussed every time after a train accident, but for the past 20-22 years, the AWACH could not be installed.

GPS based fog pass device

Train accidents often happen in fog and mist. To prevent this, a GPS based fog pass device has been made. This device informs about signals and level crossing gates in advance. It also alerts the loco pilot with a loud sound.

Interlocking system is also important

The interlocking system controls all the points and signals. It controls all the points and signals from a central location through electrical or electronic devices.