Urgent Report Highlights Bovine Risks to Vande Bharat Trains: Essential Safety Measures Recommended

The Vande Bharat Express, India’s pride in high-speed rail travel, is facing safety concerns, especially when it comes to accidents involving cattle. A recent report on railway safety highlights that the leading coach of the Vande Bharat trains is lighter than traditional locomotives. This design choice can make accidents more severe when these trains hit an obstruction or encounter livestock on the tracks.

The Commission of Railway Safety has urged the Ministry of Railways to implement stronger safety measures. One key recommendation is to install sturdy fencing around railway tracks to deter both humans and animals from trespassing. The report also suggested removing level crossing gates on routes where trains travel at speeds of 160 km/h or more.

To address frequent trespassing, the Railways is encouraged to deploy the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at problematic crossings and to conduct regular patrols. Providing safe crossing facilities for farmers with cattle is also essential.

As of now, 136 Vande Bharat train services are operational across India, with 62 of them introduced in 2024 alone. These trains, including new sleeper class versions, are produced in various factories, including the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.

Since the launch of the Vande Bharat Express, incidents of cattle collisions have been frequent, leading to significant damage. The safety report is particularly concerning as the Railways aims to increase train speeds on more routes.

The report advocates for periodic inspections involving the RPF and continues to emphasize educating nearby residents about the dangers of crossing tracks. With the increase in train speeds, new permanent speed restrictions have also been added on routes that have sharp curves. However, these restrictions can create stress for train operators.

While the Vande Bharat’s design includes features intended to manage collisions—like a crumple zone in the front coach—the lighter design still raises questions about safety. Shubhranshu, a former Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer at Integral Coach Factory, shared insights on the design. He noted that while these trains are lighter, they are engineered for safety and share design similarities with other train types worldwide. Moreover, the crumple zone helps absorb some of the energy from impacts.

The Vande Bharat Express is not just a technical achievement; it signifies India’s evolving transportation landscape. With trains like these being products of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, they represent both progress in technology and new challenges in safety.

For further details on railway operations and safety regulations, you can refer to the Ministry of Railways for comprehensive information.

Check out this related article: Experience Kerala’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Discover Route, Features, and Speed – Carrying 823 Passengers from Thiruvananthapuram!

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