With safety not on track, rail mishaps take heavy toll

More than 500 persons have been killed and 1,700 injured in 1,478 railway accidents on the Indian Railways network since 2002.

More than 500 persons have been killed and 1,700 injured in 1,478 railway accidents on the Indian Railways network since 2002.

Two major derailments, including that of a Rajdhani Express, and another accident caused by the negligence of a level-crossing guard last week may have suddenly brought the spotlight back on safety issues in Indian Railways, but a close look at the ministry8217;s data reveals that little has changed as far as the overall safety record of the Railways is concerned.

Figures available with The Indian Express show that as many as 150 train accidents have occurred on the entire network between April 1 and December 17 this year. The number of accidents during the same period last year was 153 with the figure eventually touching the 160 mark by the end of December.

Significantly, as many as 80 out these 150 accidents were derailments. Another 50 accidents were related to unmanned level crossings, eight occurred at manned level crossings and six involved collisions. Between August and October this year, 50 consequential train accidents claimed 21 lives and railway property worth Rs 6 crore was lost.

Human failure still continues to be the main reason for railway accidents accounting for as many as 87 per cent of the accidents during 2006-07. Other causes for accidents include equipment failure and sabotage. Out of all kinds of accidents, Railways have been worst affected with derailments, as many as 774 reported between 2002-2007. Another 415 accidents occurred at level crossings while 55 were due to collisions.

While ministry officials maintain that many of these accidents were of a minor nature, they admit that many of them, like the two derailments last week, could have potentially risked hundreds of human lives.

Recently, Minister of State for Railways R Velu told Lok Sabha that 8220;all possible steps are undertaken on a continuing basis to prevent accidents. These measures include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for up-gradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signaling and interlocking systems, safety drives and inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices8221;.

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The ministry says that number of accidents has declined over the recent years. 8220;From 473 accidents in 2000-2001, we came down to 234 accidents in 2005-2006 and further to 195 in 2006-07. In the current financial year, the number of consequential train accidents between April and October was 121 as against 138 during the corresponding period last year,8221; said an official.