A Year of Railway Mishaps: Multiple Fatal Accidents in India Expose Critical Safety Failures and the Need for Immediate Reform
In the early hours of Tuesday, a devastating train derailment near Jharkhand’s Charadharpur division resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 20 others. This tragic incident involving the Howrah-Mumbai passenger train, which derailed at 3:43 am, saw 18 coaches, including passenger and pantry cars, go off the tracks. Initial reports indicate the derailment was caused by a goods train from the opposite direction that also derailed and impacted the passenger train.
Recurring Train Accidents
This incident is not an isolated one. Over the past two years, India has witnessed several significant train accidents, underlining severe safety and management lapses in the Railway Ministry.
- October 29, 2023: A catastrophic collision between the Visakhapatnam-Palasa and Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger trains in Andhra Pradesh resulted in 14 deaths. The collision was caused by a train overshooting a signal.
- October 11, 2023: Six coaches of the Anand Vihar Terminal-Kamakhya Junction North East Express derailed in Bihar, causing four fatalities and injuring over 70 passengers.
- June 2, 2023: One of the deadliest accidents occurred in Odisha, involving a triple train collision near Bahanaga Bazar railway station. This accident claimed nearly 300 lives and left over 1,200 injured. It was later revealed that a signaling error and the absence of the Kavach train protection system were contributing factors.
- January 13, 2022: The Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed in West Bengal’s Alipurduar, killing nine and injuring 36 others.
- June 18, 2024: The Kanchanjunga Express accident near Rangapani station in West Bengal claimed 10 lives, including a six-year-old child. The accident led to significant disruptions and highlighted severe underfunding and staff shortages in the railway sector.
- July 20, 2024: The Charminar Express derailment at Nampally station in Hyderabad injured six people. The accident occurred when the train overshot the terminal point, leading to chaos and further questioning the safety measures in place.
These incidents collectively paint a grim picture of the state of railway safety in India, calling into question the efficacy of the current safety protocols and the oversight of the Railway Ministry.
Public Outcry and Calls for Resignation
Public and political figures have not remained silent in the face of these tragedies. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences to the victims’ families while sharply criticizing the central government’s handling of railway safety. She questioned the governance and accountability of the Railway Ministry, highlighting the recurring nature of these accidents and demanding immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
Similarly, a TMC Minister voiced outrage on social media, directly calling out Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Ministry of Railways for their perceived negligence. The minister’s tweet emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures and accountability within the ministry.
The Need for Immediate Action
The repeated train accidents underscore the need for a comprehensive overhaul of railway safety measures in India. This includes modernizing signaling systems, ensuring regular maintenance and inspections, and implementing advanced safety technologies like the Kavach system across the railway network. Moreover, there must be strict accountability at all levels to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Given the scale and frequency of these accidents, the call for the resignation of Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reflects a broader demand for accountability and change. The safety of passengers should be the top priority, and it is imperative that the Railway Ministry takes decisive action to restore public trust and ensure the safe operation of India’s railways.
The tragic events of the past two years serve as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols and vigilant governance in the Indian Railways. It is crucial that the Railway Ministry addresses these issues head-on to prevent further loss of life and restore confidence in one of the nation’s most vital transportation networks.