Government’s Mega Plan to Prevent Train Accidents (Simplified Explanation)
For example, replacing old tracks and coaches, repairing bridges, and improving basic rail infrastructure.Advanced safety systems:
A major part will go into expanding ‘Kavach’, India’s indigenous automatic train protection system that can automatically apply brakes to avoid collisions if a driver doesn’t respond.Signalling and technology upgrades:
Upgrading signals and replacing outdated mechanical systems with modern electronic signalling to reduce human error-related accidentsTrack renewals and rolling stock upgrades:
Better quality tracks and modern coaches reduce derailments and improve overall safety.How big is this safety allocation?The current safety budget (for FY 2025–26) is about ₹1.16 lakh crore.The proposed ₹1.3 lakh crore for the next year would be the highest ever and could make up nearly half of all capital expenditure for indian Railways.Has this spending helped reduce accidents?Yes — safety indicators have improved over time:The number of serious train accidents has dropped sharply from past years.For example, the number of key accidents per million train kilometers has fallen from around 0.11 to about 0.03 — a 73 % improvement in safety performance over the last decade.Key technology – ‘Kavach’:Kavach is an automatic train protection system designed to help prevent collisions.If a train passes a signal at danger or doesn’t slow down in time, Kavach can automatically apply brakes, reducing the chance of human error causing an accident.
In simple terms:The government wants no lives to be lost because of train accidents. To help achieve this, it is planning an unprecedented safety budget of ₹1.3 lakh crore to improve tracks, signals, technology like Kavach, and other safety systems. This shows a strong commitment to making train travel much safer for everyone. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.