• Railways constitute a crucial part of the nation's logistical infrastructure, ferrying millions of passengers and tons of cargo across its expanse daily.
• Collisions are the most severe form of mishap and typically lead to casualties. In the fiscal year 2022-23, there were six collisions on Indian Railways, an increase from two in 2021-22.
• Many of these accidents caused injuries and fatalities among passengers. While there have been overall improvements, prioritizing long-term safety over speed and convenience remains paramount.

• The Commissioner of Railway Safety is investigating a recent accident involving the Kanchenjunga Express.
• The Loco Pilot breached rule 9.01 of the General and Subsidiary Rules by passing an automatic signal at a restricted speed of 15 kmph, leading to a collision with a stationary passenger train in the automatic signal zone.
• Reports indicate that the incident happened on a section recently converted to an automatic signalling system, enabling trains to follow one another at speeds set by the signal aspect.

Several other factors contribute to accidents, including human error, fire incidents, derailments, and more.

Steps taken by Indian Railways to reduce collision risk

• KAVACH, an anti-collision device being rolled out gradually, represents a significant effort to tackle the issue.
• Implementing KAVACH involves installing necessary equipment on locomotives, at stations, and along tracks, a process that requires time.
•  Financing for Indian Railways
• Dedicated funds such as the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) and Rail Safety Fund are earmarked for these urgent requirements.