UPSC-Relevant News Items

1. CAG Urges Stricter Maintenance After SWR Records 14,800 Signalling Failures Since FY19

Page: 5

Summary:

• • The CAG report identified 14,808 signal failures and defects in the South Western Railway (SWR) between FY19 and FY23, averaging nearly 3,000 cases annually.
• • These equipment failures, crucial for safety, contributed to 44 accidents during the period, including 28 derailments and six cases of Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD).
• • The national auditor called for effective predictive maintenance using data loggers and noted the lack of an action plan for deploying Automatic Train Protection Devices (ETCS/TCAS/TPWS).

Additional Facts:

• • The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), established under the Railways Act, 1989, is the statutory authority that independently investigates serious rail accidents and mandates safety standards for signaling systems.
• • The Ministry of Railways prioritizes the accelerated deployment of Kavach (indigenous ATP system) as a major policy intervention to prevent signalling failures, reduce SPAD incidents, and facilitate predictive maintenance.

Linkage with UPSC course:

• • General

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