In its commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and improving standards across the railway network, the Indian government has implemented a series of measures and introduced advanced technologies. The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) initiative was started in 2017, under which funds were allocated for the replacement, renewal, and upgrading of critical safety assets.
With a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore for five years, the RRSK has witnessed a gross expenditure of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore from 2017-18 to 2021-22. The government extended the currency of RRSK until 2027, with an additional Gross Budgetary Support of Rs. 45,000 crores for the same.
Additionally, the interlocking of Level Crossing Gates at 11137 locations has been implemented to enhance safety at level crossings. The complete track circuiting of stations, a feature at 6548 stations, ensures track occupancy verification through electrical means.
GPS based Fog Safety Device
To further bolster safety, the government has introduced various technological advancements. The GPS-based Fog Safety Device (FSD) enables loco pilots to navigate fog-affected areas with awareness of landmarks like signals and level crossing gates.
The concept of Rolling Block, introduced in Indian Railways’ General Rules, plans maintenance, repair, and replacement work for 52 weeks in advance on a rolling basis. This systematic approach contributes to a proactive and planned approach to track maintenance.
Automatic train protection system ‘Kavach’
One of the noteworthy advancements is the implementation of the indigenously developed “Kavach,” an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
Deployed on 1465 route km and 139 locomotives on the South Central Railway, Kavach ensures train running within specified speed limits and automatic brake application in case of Loco Pilot failure. Tender awards for Delhi – Mumbai & Delhi – Howrah corridors indicate its expansion to approximately 3000 route km.
Fire detection and suppression system
To address fire safety concerns, Indian Railways has displayed statutory “Fire Notices” for passenger information in all coaches. Fire detection and suppression systems are progressively being fitted in newly manufactured and existing coaches. Moreover, regular counselling and training of staff are undertaken to ensure preparedness for emergency situations.
The comprehensive safety initiatives underscore the government’s dedication to making railway travel safer and more secure for millions of passengers across the country. As technology continues to evolve, these measures play a pivotal role in building a robust and reliable railway infrastructure for the future.