Kanchanjunga train mishap: Why it's time to ramp up switch to LHB coaches

Kanchanjunga train mishap: Why it's time to ramp up switch to LHB coaches

Kanchanjunga Express train mishapwhich claimed ten lives and left many wounded, has once again raised concerns regarding the railway safety system.The CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) has repeatedly warned the government in the past against the use of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) rakes, asking them to replace all ICF rakes with modern LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches made from stainless steel to make rail travel safer for passengers.

At least 10 people diedand 40 others were injured in a collision between the Sealdarh-bound Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal on June 17. The loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of the passenger train were among those killed in the train mishap.

The crash reportedly happened at a speed of around 80 km per hour and three coaches of Kanchanjungha Express were derailed, while two coaches of the train were mangled beyond identification. The crash allegedly happened as the automatic signalling system in the area wasn't functional and manual signalling procedures were being followed.

The 13174 Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express was using outdated ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches during the accident.

OUTDATED ICF RAKES

The age old ICF rakes have proved a big safety menace time and again. The production of ICF coaches has been permanently stopped since 2014.

On January 13, 2022, a 15633 Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed in North Bengal, killing nine passengers and injuring 50 others. That train was also using ICF coaches during the crash.

In November 2020, the CAG in its audit report said that ICF coaches have led to 98 percent more deaths as compared to LHB coaches. According to the CAG report, out of 20 train accidents (including derailments and collisions) between 2014 and 2018, 17 trains had ICF and three had LHB coaches.

In accidents with ICF coaches, 371 people died and 1,142 were injured, while in accidents involving LHB coaches, six people died and 115 sustained injuries. The report said that no casualties were reported on June 25, 2014, when Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (LHB coaches) overturned despite a high-speed derailment, but 38 passengers were killed and 150 were injured after Dehradun-Varanasi Janta Express with ICF derailed near Bachhrawan railway station on March 20, 2015.

TIME TO RAMP UP LHB PRODUCTION

The then Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal promised in 2017 that all ICF rakes on the railways would be replaced by safer LHB rakes by 2022. In September 2020, the CAG once again red flagged the use of ICF rakes and stated that with the present rate of production, it would take 8 more years to replace all ICF rakes with LHB rolling stock. With the current rate of production of LHB coaches (7000 coaches manufactured in FY- 2023-24 as declared by the Ministry of Railways), LHBfication of the entire ICF fleet seems to be like a distant goal.

At present, LHB rakes are being manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli and the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala. But the government has still not achieved the target. According to the Ministry of Railways report of January 2024, 50.5 percent of the total passenger rolling stock of Indian Railways is LHB, whereas 49.5 percent is of ICF fleet.

Around 35,450 ICF coaches need to be replaced with LHB coaches.

A source in the Indian Railways has said that by the end of the current financial year, work towards replacing all ICF rakes with LHB rolling stock will be completed.

WHY DO WE NEED LHB COACHES?

LHB rakes have significant advantages over traditional ICF rolling stock. Some of the advantages of LHB rakes are as follows:

Anti-climbing features: LHB coaches are designed with anti-climbing features to prevent them from mounting over each other during a collision. This helps minimise the severity of accidents.

Crash worthiness: LHB rakes are designed to be crashworthy, meaning they can absorb and dissipate energy during a collision to minimize the impact forces on passengers. This contributes to passenger safety in the event of an accident.

Emergency braking system: LHB rakes are equipped with advanced braking systems that can be applied in emergency situations. This helps in reducing the speed of the train quickly, minimising the impact in case of an impending collision.

Safety during derailment: LHB coaches are designed to minimise the risk of injury to passengers in the event of a derailment. The design takes into account factors like overturning and rolling during derailment scenarios.

Improved suspension system: LHB rakes have advanced suspension systems that provide better stability and control. This contributes to the overall safety and comfort of passengers, especially during high-speed travel.

Energy-absorbing couplers: The couplers used in LHB coaches are designed to absorb energy during collisions, reducing the force transmitted to the connected coaches and minimizing the risk of telescoping.

Advanced signalling and communication systems: LHB coaches are equipped with modern signaling and communication systems that enhance the overall safety of train operations. These systems help in maintaining safe distances between trains and improving communication between the train crew and control centers.

PROVEN SAFETY RECORD OF LHB COACHES

LHB coaches made up of stainless steel are more durable than ICF rakes and have a very robust safety record with reference to high-speed derailments.

In August 2021, the Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express derailed near Chaygaon railway station in Assam during which no casualties were reported. In October 2023, four coaches of North East Express derailed which led to just four casualties. The 2023 Balasore tragedy would have been much worse had the Indian Railways used ICF coaches on Coromandel Express and SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express.

ICF TRAINS WHICH NEED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT

Other than the 13174 Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express, many other trains in Howrah and Sealdah divisions are still running with ICF rakes. The 13141 Teesta Torsa Express, 12311 Netaji Express (previously known as Kalka Mail), 13163 Hate-Bazare Express, 12130 Azad Hind Express and 12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Tri-Weekly Intercity Express are all running by using ICF coaches