Railway Board Focuses on Turnouts to Prevent Derailments

The Railway Board has highlighted the importance of maintaining turnouts, crucial segments allowing trains to switch tracks, as they have caused numerous derailments. Emphasizing a shift from renewal to maintenance, divisions must create comprehensive action plans. Improved inspections and data integrity are also essential to prevent future derailments.

The Railway Board has underscored turnouts, which are track segments that enable trains to change tracks, as a major focus area for maintenance. Of the 28 derailments due to track issues in 2025-26, a significant number were related to these points. This highlights a critical maintenance avenue for the Board.

In a recent communication, the Board insisted on changing the philosophy from track renewal to maintenance, as proper upkeep enhances service life, reduces premature renewals, and boosts track reliability. Each division must prepare a comprehensive track action plan monitored by the chief track engineer.

Increased manual and instrumented field inspections are urged, particularly at vulnerable locations like bridges and sharp curves. The Board also stressed maintaining data integrity within the Track Management System to ensure ongoing and timely progress of track-related works.