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The tragic collision of the Kanchanjunga Express with a goods train on June 17, 2024, in West Bengal has drawn attention to significant lapses in the management of train operations, particularly during automatic signal failures. The collision, which occurred between Rangapani and Chatterhat railway stations, resulted in 10 fatalities, including the goods train’s loco pilot and the Kanchanjunga Express’s train manager, and left 43 others injured. The incident has prompted an investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), who identified multiple operational failures as the primary causes of the accident. The CRS has called for urgent reforms, including the implementation of the Kavach Automatic Train Protection system, to ensure the safety of future train operations.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)

The CRS is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, tasked with investigating serious train accidents and making recommendations to the government to improve railway safety. The CRS report on the Kanchanjunga Express collision highlights systemic failures across multiple railway departments, particularly during signal failures, which contributed to the accident.

Kavach: The Train Collision Avoidance System

Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, has been designed to prevent train collisions and is a key recommendation from the CRS report. Developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry, the system enables communication between locomotives, signaling systems, and tracks to control train brakes and alert drivers of potential hazards. The system aims to ensure zero accidents and has been in development since 2012. The CRS has called for the rapid deployment of Kavach across India’s railway network, particularly in light of the significant number of signal failures and accidents over the years.

Key Findings from the CRS Report on the Kanchanjunga Express Accident

1. Operational Lapses: The CRS identified several critical lapses in train operations that led to the collision:

A flawed authority letter was issued, allowing trains to pass defective automatic signals without speed guidance.

There was a lack of essential safety equipment, such as walkie-talkies, hindering communication between loco pilots, train managers, and station masters.

There were no caution orders issued to train crews, and the loco pilots and station staff had not received sufficient safety training.

2. Signal Failures and Communication Breakdowns: 

The CRS report highlighted the systemic failures in the automatic signaling system, which had been malfunctioning for months prior to the collision. Since January 2023, the Katihar Division had recorded 275 signal failures, raising concerns about the reliability of the system. The failure of communication equipment, such as walkie-talkies, further exacerbated the situation by preventing effective communication between critical railway staff.

3. Safety Violations: 

Despite repeated safety violations, including 208 incidents of signal passing at danger (SPAD) from 2019 to 2024, the preventive measures taken by the railways were deemed insufficient. Twelve of these SPAD incidents resulted in collisions, pointing to a recurring problem with train safety protocols.

Recommendations for Enhancing Safety

The CRS made several key recommendations to improve railway safety and prevent similar accidents in the future:

Implementation of Kavach: The CRS emphasized the urgent need to deploy the Kavach ATP system across the Indian Railways network to prevent collisions and enhance train safety.

Crashworthiness Features: The report recommended retrofitting passenger coaches, especially the last two coaches of every train, with crashworthiness features to reduce fatalities and damage during collisions.

Crew Voice and Video Recording Systems (CVVRS): The CRS called for the installation of CVVRS in locomotives to monitor communication and improve accountability among train crews.

Safety Equipment Procurement: The CRS stressed the importance of ensuring that all trains are equipped with walkie-talkies and other safety-critical equipment, with no shortages in safety gear.

Ministry of Railways’ Response

In response to the CRS’s findings, the Ministry of Railways has initiated several actions:

Disciplinary Actions: The Ministry has begun disciplinary proceedings against the railway staff deemed responsible for the accident.

Amendments to Rules: The Ministry has amended the General and Subsidiary Rules (G&SR) to clarify operational procedures, especially during signal failures, and eliminate ambiguities.

Procurement of Safety Equipment: Efforts have been made to procure and replace defective walkie-talkies and other safety equipment across railway zones, ensuring that safety gear is available at all times.

Staff Training and Counseling: Comprehensive training and counseling sessions have been conducted for railway staff, including station masters, loco pilots, and train managers, to reinforce safety protocols and improve communication.

Conclusion

The tragic Kanchanjunga Express accident serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues within India’s railway network. The CRS report emphasizes the need for urgent reforms, including the deployment of advanced safety technologies like Kavach, to prevent future collisions. The recommendations for improving safety protocols, communication systems, and equipment availability are crucial steps toward enhancing the reliability and safety of Indian Railways, ensuring that similar accidents do not occur in the future.