New Delhi: The tragic Kanchanjunga Express accident has reignited discussions on Indian Railways safety record. This article compares the performance of the NDA government (2014-2023) with the UPA government (2004-2014) based on official data.Significant reduction in train accidents under NDAGovernment data reveals a noteworthy decrease in train accidents under NDA rule. From 2014 to March 2023, there were 638 accidents, compared to a staggering 1,711 during the UPA era. This translates to a reduction of over 63 per cent.Fewer casualties and derailments under NDAThe human cost of accidents has also decreased. The NDA period saw 781 fatalities and 1,543 injuries, compared to the UPAs 2,453 deaths and 4,486 injuries. Train derailments, a major concern, have also witnessed a significant decline. The UPA era recorded 867 derailments, while the NDA period saw just 426.Accident rates per million train km reach record lowsThe accident rate per million train kilometers, a key safety metric, has shown consistent improvement. The UPA era saw a decrease from 0.29 in 2004-05 to 0.10 in 2013-14. Under the NDA, this figure has further declined to a record low of 0.037 in March 2023.Increased investment in safety measuresThe NDA government has demonstrably prioritized safety by significantly increasing investments in track renewal. The annual expenditure on track renewal under the NDA (FY15-FY23) stands at Rs 10,201 crore, compared to Rs 4,702 crore under the UPA (FY05-FY14). Similarly, the total allocation for rail safety over the past nine years has reached Rs 1,78,012 crore, marking a 2.5-fold increase compared to the pre-2014 period.While the data suggests a positive trend under NDA rule, the focus should remain on continuous improvement to ensure the safety of passengers and railway personnel.
