Multiple accidents have occurred in recent months, including the Balasore and Kavaraipettai accidents.
While some accidents resulted in no casualties, the Balasore accident had a significant death toll.
The Railways faces challenges in improving safety while managing financial constraints.
The number of accidents has decreased over time, but consequential accidents still occur.
A significant portion of accidents are attributed to human error by Railway staff or non-staff individuals.
Equipment failures, such as in the Balasore and Kavaraipettai accidents, contribute to accidents.
Kavach Automatic Train Protection System
Kavach is designed to prevent collisions by tracking train locations and activating alarms and brakes.
As of February 2024, Kavach was installed on a limited portion of the railway network.
After the Balasore accident, the government committed to implementing Kavach in mission mode
Kavach has a cost but can be implemented at a reasonable percentage of the Railways' annual capital expenditure.
Kavach may not prevent all accidents, especially those caused by errors outside its operational parameters.
Operating Ratio and Financial Challenges
The operating ratio, a measure of efficiency, has shown improvement but remains high.
A high operating ratio limits the Railways' ability to invest and increases reliance on government funding.
The Railways faces growing reliance on extra-budgetary resources, which can strain its finances.
Freight Services and Challenges
Freight services account for a significant portion of the Railways' revenue.
Freight rates have increased faster than passenger rates.
A portion of the railway network operates at or above capacity, leading to slow freight movement.
The implementation of dedicated freight corridors is ongoing but faces delays.
The Railways is transitioning away from coal-based freight, impacting revenue.
Passenger Services and Revenue
Passenger services have consistently incurred losses, offsetting freight profits.
Passenger revenue has been increasing, driven by factors like new trains and fare adjustments.
The last passenger fare rationalization occurred in 2020.
The Railways faces the challenge of balancing affordable fares with profitability.
Safety Challenges and Factors
The Railways' focus on affordability can sometimes compromise safety measures.
Stressful working conditions, long shifts, and changing procedures can impact safety.
High network congestion limits the effectiveness of safety systems like Kavach.
Insufficient investment in track renewal, maintenance, and safety infrastructure can contribute to accidents
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