To the possible solutions to this problem…..

1. the best possible solution would be introduction of sky trains…..m joking…its true that the chances of derailment of sky trains are next to zero….but then to match the needs n infrastructure its impossible….so its rejected outright…

2. we can use a sensor to detect possible faults in a track….fit it on the engine…and preempt any accidents…but if there are any faults the information shud be relayed back to the engine at least 1000 m before the particular spot…why…simply because the breaking distance for a Pulsar 220 with dual disc brakes and weighing 150 kg needs at least 18 m to come down from 60-0 kmph ….now translate to that for a fully loaded train…and u can calculate the figures…now the placement of these sensors would be next to impossible on non electrified tracks on account of needs for individual ower units and controlling..…but on electrified routes, there’s a possible hope…suppose we mount a master sensor at the station and individual slave units at points of each electric pole…say drawing power from them too…may be we an do something…I hope a vague idea is forming…today technology exists even for communication through electric lines…so controlling those devices shouldn’t be problem…

3. Another possible thing that can be down is to introduce ridge on either sides of the locomotive wheels…the extra support may jus do the trick …but again that would require modification to tracks at points of crossovers…a real headache…also possible pros and cons of this approach need to studied..

So I believe that the sensor is the only feasible solution in sight..now the sensor should provide the following info…

1. Misalignment if any along the tracks

2. Change in level of the rails, say an unusual dip or rise which can cause an unusual force of the wheels and may cause disorientation and disbalance.

3. unusually long gaps between tracks at joints



but all this is worth scrap if the attitude of railway officials remain the same, the careless ‘chalta hai ‘ attitude is the actual cause of all the accidents. At most places the tracks have preserved to the state how the British left them half a century ago…virtually untouched.

Just a plain look in the more accident prone sectors reveal they occur mostly as result of neglect and lack of timely and proper maintenance works on the tracks.