In 2024, there have been five significant train accidents in a span of 7 months; the most recent one involved the Howrah-Mumbai mail.
Two persons died and another twenty were injured when the passenger train and another derailing freight vehicle crashed on July 30.
This is the sixth train accident of the year and the third in the nation in the previous two months alone.
When the Anga Express stopped at the beginning of the year, its passengers got off, and a local train ran them over.
After that, a freight train derailed close to the Palghar station in Maharashtra, obstructing a large portion of the rail network between the two major hubs of Surat and Mumbai.
Since last year, the opposition has been attacking Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw for the several rail accidents.
India's frequent rail accidents are a major concern that need to be addressed in a multifaceted manner.
There is a need for maintenance and updating of the railroad's infrastructure, which includes the bridges, signaling systems, and tracks.
We must make investments in collision avoidance systems (CAS) and automated train protection systems (ATPS). These can assist in identifying possible risks and averting mishaps.
To effectively handle incidents, emergency response plans like making sure that medical and rescue supplies are easily accessible as well as providing training for first responders is mandatory.
In order to better coordinate with local authorities and other railway departments during emergencies, communication mechanisms must be improved.
Also, it is imperative to guarantee that all staff members have received adequate training in safety procedures and emergency response, which can greatly lower the likelihood of mishaps.
Regular inspections are also required to resolve problems before they become accidents through predictive and preventative maintenance.
By addressing these issues comprehensively, train accident frequency can be considerably decreased, and overall railway safety in India can be increased.