India’s semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express, faces a serious safety concern—its front coach is structurally weak compared to traditional train engines. This alarming revelation comes from a report by the Railway Safety Commission under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which warns that collisions with animals could lead to severe accidents.
The report highlights that the front portion of the Vande Bharat train is significantly lighter than regular locomotive engines, making it vulnerable in high-speed animal collisions. This warning is particularly concerning as Indian Railways plans to operate these trains at speeds of up to 160 km/h on several routes.
Key Concerns Raised:
The report directed the Railway Ministry to install strong fencing along railway tracks to prevent the entry of humans and animals, as their presence poses a serious threat to trains.
The Railway Safety Commission also recommended the removal of level crossing gates on routes where trains operate at speeds of 160 km/h. Additionally, it advised Indian Railways to regularly identify areas prone to crowding or animal intrusions and deploy Railway Protection Force personnel at such locations. The report further suggested that farmers should be provided with underground passages to cross railway tracks with their livestock safely.
Safety Recommendations:
- Emergency exit systems should be efficient, allowing passengers to evacuate quickly.
- Train doors must open automatically in case of fire or other emergencies to aid swift rescue.
- Special fire-resistant cables should be installed so that doors can be operated even during a blaze.
- Emergency ladders currently in use are difficult to climb; improvements are needed for better usability.
- Strong external grab handles, similar to those found in Rajdhani Express trains, should be installed to assist passengers during evacuation.
Railways Responds:
Since its launch, the Vande Bharat Express has encountered multiple incidents involving cattle collisions, often damaging the front portion of the train. However, Shubhranshu, former Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer at ICF, clarified that the train’s nose cone is designed to absorb impact and is fitted with a cattle guard to deflect obstacles.
Despite the concerns, Indian Railways maintains that the trains are structurally capable and is expected to evaluate and implement safety enhancements based on the commission’s recommendations.
