Context: 

The collision in Balasore, Odisha between two express passenger trains and a stopped freight train, is perhaps the deadliest train accident on record in the last 20 years.

The seriousness of the rail safety situation in India:

• Despite the slow speed of trains as compared with other countries, fatal train accidents happen frequently in India. 
• India would probably place slightly higher than Egypt, Mexico, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Pakistan if a ranking of the world’s major railways were to be made based on safety performance.
• To compete effectively with the rapid technological developments in air and road transport, through safer and faster train travel, developed nations’ railways have been expanding and modernising their existing rail networks since the 1970s.

China as an example:

• Because of its similar geographic size and population, China is a good comparison for India.
• China upgraded its network in roughly two phases. 
• From 1995 to 2010, it focused on achieving speeds of 200–250 kmph on its pre-existing lines.
• Next, it constructed new lines that served as dedicated passenger lines for operational speeds of 200–250 kmph (high speed) and 300–350 kmph (ultra high speed). 
• Currently, it is working on expanding the trunk routes. 
• By 2030, the total route length is planned to increase to 1,75,000 km, of which about 55,000 km will be high-speed and ultra-high-speed lines.

India’s Mission:

• Project Mission Raftar was announced by the Indian Railway Board in 2017–18 with the goal of doubling the average speed of freight trains from 25 kmph to 50 kmph and achieving a 50 percent increase in passenger train speed from 50 kmph to 75 kmph in five years. 
• But, as the CAG of India noted in its report, the plan did not result in any speed increase. 

Loss of Market to Railways:

• The severe congestion on Indian Railways’ main trunk routes is the primary factor contributing to the trains’ stagnant speeds and their subpar safety record. 
• Lack of punctuality has a negative impact on safety due to the overworked drivers, station masters, and trackmen.
• In 2005, the Railway Board decided to build two dedicated freight corridors (DFCs), with plans to build three more in the future. 
  • These DFCs are still incomplete and may take 2 to 4 more years.
• In 2017, India began construction of a standalone ultra-high speed (Bullet Train) line on the Standard Gauge between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. 
  • While the progress of construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train line is slow, the plan to build more bullet train lines is also in the doldrums.

Lifeline of India’s transportation:

• Considering the predominantly flat terrain on the trunk routes of India and the significant advantages of the broader Indian Broad Gauge for this flat terrain of soft alluvial soils, India should build 200–250 kmph high-speed lines. 
• The expanded and upgraded network will have sufficient capacity to meet the requirements of both passenger and freight traffic until 2060–2070 with ensured safety and punctuality. 
• Rail will thus be able to reclaim its role as the lifeline of India’s transportation.

News Source: The Indian Express