Railways issue alert after cable cuts cause signal failures, threaten safety
The Indian Railways has issued an alert to all Zonal Railway general managers following repeated signal failures caused by damage to cables during ongoing infrastructure development works. The alert emphasizes the need for strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents.
The Railways is currently undertaking large-scale development projects, including automatic block signalling, double line introduction, boundary walls for high-speed train operations, and installation of the indigenous train protection system 'Kavach'. However, these works have led to frequent cable cuts, resulting in signal failures and train disruptions.
'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 stated.
To address this, the Railways has reiterated its Standard Operating Procedure for protecting signalling and telecommunication cables. It also warned that contractors responsible for damages face heavy penalties, with fines up to Rs 1 lakh per cut. Proper coordination among departments and strict monitoring of works have been urged.
The alert comes amid past serious accidents linked to signal failures, including the 2023 Balasore triple train crash in Odisha, which killed 296 people and injured over 900. The Railways invests over Rs 1 lakh crore annually on safety-related activities.
The Railways noted that systems like Kavach will help loco pilots maintain speed and receive signals on in-cab displays, even in low visibility. However, the current emphasis is on preventing cable damages during construction to ensure immediate safety.
