Railways issue alert after cable cuts trigger signal failures, safety concerns

The ongoing infrastructure development work by the Indian Railways is causing frequent signal failures owing to cable cuts, posing a serious threat to the safety of train operations.

Editorial | Take the gauntlet: On safety and the Indian Railways

Amidst the increasing number of cable cuts being reported across the railway network, the Ministry of Railways has sent out an alert to general managers of all Zonal Railways to take due precautionary measures during the ongoing works. 

The Railways is undertaking large-scale development works on a mission mode, especially implementation of safety enhancement projects, automatic block signalling, introduction of double line, construction of boundary wall or fence to facilitate operation of high-speed trains, and installation of Kavach – India’s indigenously developed automatic train protection system. 

‘Catastrophic consequences’

During the execution of these works, cable cuts/damage were being reported frequently leading to signal failures and disruption in train operations. “Such repeated signal failures due to cable cut/damage pose a serious threat to the safety and reliability of train services, and could lead to catastrophic consequences if adequate precautions are not taken,” the alert said. 

The Railways said repeated instructions were issued from time to time for protection of existing signal and telecommunication cables along the track while undertaking development works. “However, cases of cable cut/damage continue to be reported frequently.”

Insisting on proper coordination among departments involved in the ongoing projects, the Railways reiterated the Standard Operating Procedure recommended to ensure safety of signalling assets.  

Penalty on contractors

Asked for his comments on the issue of cable cuts triggering signal failures, a senior Railway officer said heavy penalty was being levied on contractors responsible for such damage. “The fine amount can go up to ₹1 lakh for each cut…cable cut/damage will not happen if the work is executed strictly as per the drawing and under close monitoring of supervisory officials,” he said.

The alert comes against the backdrop of several serious accidents caused by signal failures in different parts of the country, including the devastating multiple collision involving the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and two other trains at Balasore in Odisha that killed about 296 passengers and left over 900 others injured. 

The Railways invests more than ₹1 lakh crore each year on safety-related activities. The train safety system will help loco pilots in maintaining train speed by effective brake application. “Even in low-visibility conditions like fog, the loco pilots will not have to look outside from the cabin for a signal. Pilots can see the information on the dashboard installed inside the cab,” the Railways said in a note.