Several cases of train accidents over the past few months have shaken the entire nation. After the Kanpur accident, which claimed the life of 151 innocent people, railways constituted a task force on safety. The task force constituted of many senior railway officials and other staff. A data analysis of all the past accidents was done and a “factual view of potential solutions” was developed. As per the reports and study, the negligence of railway staff is responsible for many of the derailments that occurred recently.
Defects like tracks fracture and inadequate maintenance are the root causes of the accidents. Considering the increase in the number of derailments due to technical failures, it is suggested that technology upgradations are needed. The reports said “Inspection of railway tracks is a complex exercise and must be automated to reduce dependence on human judgement.”
Here is a brief of the recent train derailments in the country-
22nd January, 2017: Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express Derailed
Forty people were killed, and sixty-five were injured when nine coaches of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express – 18448 went off the tracks.
10th January, 2017: The Iconic Toy Train Derailed
Five people including the driver were left injured when the famous Toy Train got derailed. The accident occurred near Kurseong area in West Bengal.
28th December, 2016: Sealdah-Ajmer Express Derailed Near Kanpur
Fifteen coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express went off the tracks injuring 43 people. The accident took place when the train was crossing a bridge built over a dry canal.
20th November, 2016: Indore Patna Express Derailment
133 people were killed, and 200 were injured when fourteen coaches of the Patna-Indore Express derailed near Kanpur.
5th October, 2016: Jhelum Express Derailment
With 165 Pune-bound passengers, nine coaches of Jhelum Express were derailed. None of the passengers were injured in the accident.
September 30, 2016: Bhubaneswar Train Collision
Two people died and 27 got injured when the Bhubaneswar-Bhadrak passenger train and goods train collided with each other.
September 20, 2016: Goods train derailed
No one was injured when a goods train was derailed at Karunagappalli Station near Kollam, but it disrupted the traffic between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam sections.
We hope, that serious actions are taken by the railways for the same and such accidents don’t repeat in the future.
