Every year there are several train accidents and investigations indicate system failure, human error and sabotage. On October 11, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express met with an accident at Kavaraipettai (Tamil Nadu) when it rammed into a stationary goods train after veering from the main line into the loop line, leading to derailment of 12 coaches and injury to 20 people. A 15- member inquiry committee found that nuts and bolts on the track were removed. The railways have several safety measures to avoid accidents. It is also a major challenge to monitor the thousands of kilometres of tracks and signalling systems, yet the trackmen do an excellent job by examining for irregularities. The railways could utilise drones, build watch towers at critical spots and employ personnel on 24×7 duty, install solar-powered CCTVs which will work even if the electricity is cut-off by miscreants and develop an alarm system that would activate, if the tracks and signals are fiddled with, and send a message to the nearest station. Importantly, there could be a network of local informers who will have their ears to the ground for any sabotage planned or carried out by trouble-makers.
