Railways: 77.5% of WAG12B locomotives still lack safety device upgrades

It matters to citizens as it documents safety improvements and regulatory compliance measures following incidents involving passenger and goods trains.

Who it concerns: Indian Railways, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Loco Pilots, Train Managers, and the general public affected by railway safety incidents.

What the inquiry found

• The report addresses three accidents: a rear-end collision at NSIR station (Northern Railway) on 02.06.2024, a derailment in Chakradharpur division (South Eastern Railway) on 30.07.2024, and a derailment of the Kamakhy Express in Khurda Road division (East Coast Railway) on 30.03.2025.
• For the NSIR accident, the cause was determined to be the Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot falling asleep, classified as 'failure of the Railway staff and systemic failure'.
• Railways modified the Vigilance Control Device (VCD) by changing the acknowledgement switch from a foot pedal to a hand-operated push button to prevent rhythmic operation during micro-sleep; this was completed in 99.4% of three-phase electric locomotives and 77.5% of WAG12B class locomotives.
• A Railway Driver Assistance System (RDAS) to detect drowsiness has been incorporated into the latest specifications for IP-based VSS for Rolling Stock.
• Regarding signal interlocking at NSIR, Railways stated that the current design follows extant instructions and that modifying interlocking without physical isolation would require significant changes to SIP, RCT, SWRD, and VDU layouts across DFCCIL.
• Railways noted that a monthly inspection drive for walkie-talkies has been launched in DFCCIL to ensure availability of this safety-critical item.
• Railways stated that the Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot involved in the NSIR accident were within the norms for continuous night duty as per Board's letter No. E(LL)/2016/HPC/7 dated 13.10.2016.

Also in the document

• The report includes a list of abbreviations used in railway safety and operations, such as VCD (Vigilance Control Device), SPAD (Signal Passing at Danger), and DFC (Delhi-Faridkanal-Cum-Panipat).
• The document notes that the modification of VCDs in WAG12B class locomotives (the class involved in the accident) is 77.5% complete (386 out of 498 locos).
• Railways indicated that providing physical isolation for longer loops at DFC station yards would restrict yard flexibility by 25% at crew changing points.