Following the derailment of the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express between Kanpur and Bhimsen Junction on August 17, the Indian Railways has intensified track patrolling to prevent future incidents. The derailment, caused by a rail chunk allegedly placed on the track by miscreants, has prompted a heightened security response.
Reports indicate that the ministry is exploring various Artificial Intelligence solutions to improve round-the-clock track security.
The Railway Board has instructed both the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and track maintainers to increase their vigilance, with round-the-clock patrolling now in effect. This shift aims to address concerns about inadequate night patrolling, which was previously limited to special circumstances as per the Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual. The manual allows night patrolling primarily during extreme weather conditions rather than for general security.
While the track maintainers’ union supports the move, they highlight that the shortage of staff and misuse of personnel for non-track-related duties have hampered effective implementation. The All India Track Maintainers Union (AIRTU) has criticized the current system, alleging that 15-30% of track maintainers are diverted for personal work by senior officials, overstretching the remaining workforce.
Experts advocate for mandatory night patrolling throughout the year to enhance track security until technological solutions are implemented. The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) has also called for an increase in track maintainer posts to ensure adequate manpower for both maintenance and security tasks.
An ongoing investigation seeks to determine whether the rail piece was deliberately placed to sabotage train operations.