Major Railway Safety Changes Implemented Following Kangchenjunga Express and Goods Train Collision Incident

In response to the tragic collision between the Kangchenjunga Express and a goods train, the Ministry of Railways has swiftly moved to overhaul safety protocols and equipment standards across its networks. The incident, which occurred on the electrified double-line section between Rangapani (RN) and Chatterhat (CAT) of the Katihar Division in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on June 17, 2024, has prompted significant reforms aimed at preventing future accidents caused by signaling failures and human errors.

Background and Incident Overview

The collision took place at 08:50 hrs when the DN GFCJ goods train collided with the stationary ON 13174 Kangchenjunga Express. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety identified multiple lapses in operational management and safety adherence, primarily stemming from signaling failures compounded by procedural misunderstandings.

Findings and Causes Identified

1. Signaling Equipment Failure: Investigations revealed that the collision was triggered by signaling failures due to lightning strikes that shorted circuits and fuses at the relay hut between Rangapani and Chatterhat. This led to erroneous signal indications, causing confusion among train crew members.
2. Procedural Misinterpretation: Despite the issuance of an Authority (T/A 912) to pass defective signals, the goods train’s locomotive pilot misinterpreted the authority, leading to the collision. Conversely, the locomotive pilot of the Kangchenjunga Express correctly adhered to protocol and stopped at the red signal.
3. Operational Protocol: It was determined that there was a lack of clarity in the procedures for handling defective signals, including the need for caution orders to accompany such authorities, as per existing General and Subsidiary Rules (G&SR).

Ministry’s Response and Policy Changes

In light of the incident and the identified lapses, the Railway Board and Ministry of Railways have initiated several critical reforms:

1. Revision of Authority Forms: The format of Authority forms (T/A 912) has been revised to eliminate ambiguity and ensure clarity in instructions issued to locomotive pilots.
2. Enhanced Training Programs: Training modules for Loco Pilots (LP) and Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) have been strengthened to improve understanding and adherence to safety protocols, especially in automatic signaling territories.
3. Standardization of Procedures: Authorities across different railway zones have been standardized to ensure uniformity in operational practices nationwide, reducing the likelihood of procedural errors.
4. Improvement of Signaling Reliability: A comprehensive action plan is being developed under the auspices of the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) to enhance the reliability and resilience of signaling equipment nationwide.

Organizational Lapses and Accountability

The investigation highlighted several organizational and managerial lapses:

• Station Staff Responsibilities: The Station Superintendent (SS) and Station Master (SM) at Rangapani failed to adhere to prescribed rules regarding the issuance and verification of authorities, contributing to the misinterpretation by the goods train’s crew.
• Role of Training Institutes: The Multi-Disciplinary Zonal Training Institute (MDZTI) of NFR, responsible for training railway personnel, was found lacking in adequately flagging procedural ambiguities related to the use of T/A 912 under SR 9.01.
• Divisional and Zonal Oversight: The Katihar Division and its higher echelons were criticized for inadequate response to signaling failures and failure to implement joint procedural orders for managing automatic signaling territory.

Recommendations and Future Initiatives

Following the incident, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety made several recommendations:

• Implementation of Automatic Train Protection (Kavach): Immediate deployment of ATP systems to prevent similar accidents in automatic signaling sections.
• Revision of General and Subsidiary Rules: The Railway Board is urged to revise and reissue G&SR to eliminate discrepancies and ensure uniformity in operational procedures across all zonal railways.
• Enhanced Safety Equipment: Ensuring the availability of safety-critical equipment such as Walkie-Talkies to all crew members at all times, with strict monitoring and adherence protocols.
• Training and Counseling Programs: Introduction of counseling programs for Station Masters and Train Managers, akin to those for Loco Pilots, to enhance safety awareness and operational discipline.
• Technological Integration: Exploration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based collision avoidance systems in locomotives to supplement signaling-based safety measures.

Conclusion

The Kangchenjunga Express and Goods Train collision incident has prompted a thorough reassessment of safety protocols and operational standards within Indian Railways. The Ministry’s proactive measures, including revised protocols, enhanced training, and improved equipment standards, aim to mitigate operational risks and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members across the railway network. As investigations continue and reforms are implemented, the focus remains on preventing similar incidents through robust safety measures and adherence to standardized operational protocols.