CAG Report on Indian Railways Signalling Issues

Summary of CAG Report on Signalling Failures in South Western Railway (SWR)

1. Background Information:

   • CAG Report Overview: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India highlighted ongoing signalling equipment failures in the South Western Railway (SWR), demonstrating a need for improved maintenance mechanisms.
   • SWR Structure: SWR comprises three divisions: Bangalore (passenger-oriented), Hubli, and Mysore (freight-focused).

2. Signalling Failures Data:

   • Total signal failures from FY19 to FY23: 14,808, leading to an average of 2,961 cases per year.
   • Breakdown of failures:
     • 8,547 failures linked to Signalling and Telecommunication (S&T) errors (track circuits, relays, etc.).
     • 6,261 attributed to other departments (engineering, operations, electrical).
   • Yearly signal failures:
     • FY19: 3,337
     • FY20: 3,941
     • FY21: 2,537
     • FY22: 2,834
     • FY23: 2,159

3. Implications of Failures:

   • 44 accidents occurred during the audit period, including:
     • 28 derailments
     • 6 cases of signal passing at danger (SPAD)
   • Signalling failures pose risks for accidents and detrimentally affect punctuality.
   • The report emphasized the absence of action plans for deploying Automatic Train Protection Devices like ETCS, TCAS, and TPWS.

4. Challenges Identified:

   • Damage to optical fibre cables and quad cables caused by contractor activities (e.g., digging) leads to signalling errors.
   • Despite penalties of ₹1 to 1.5 lakh for damages, the recovery was low; only ₹1.91 crore of ₹13.68 crore was collected for 914 cases from FY19 to FY23, with ₹11.77 crore pending as of March 31, 2023.

5. Recommendations:

   • Emphasis on the need for a more effective maintenance mechanism and predictive maintenance using data loggers.
   • Proposal for an integrated S&T cable route plan to reduce incidences of cable damage.

6. Technological Gaps:

   • Identified gaps in implementing advanced signalling technologies:
     • Train Actuated Warning Device (TAWD)
     • Solid State Interlocking (SSI)
     • Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS)
     • Mobile Train Radio Communication System (MTRCS)

7. Safety Framework of Indian Railways:

   • The report noted that modern signalling is crucial to safety initiatives within Indian Railways, emphasizing systems like:
     • Multi Aspect Colour Light Signalling (MACLS)
     • Panel Interlocking (PI)
     • Route Relay Interlocking (RRI)
     • Electronic Interlocking (EI)
     • Automatic Block Signalling and Axle Counters.

This summary outlines significant findings and recommendations from the CAG report, highlighting the persistent issues within the SWR signalling systems, stressing the enhancement of maintenance practices and the integration of modern safety technologies.