How can the Indian Railways address recurring signal failures due to cable cuts to ensure passenger safety?

Signal failures in Indian Railways, often caused by cable cuts, pose serious risks to passenger safety and disrupt train operations. These failures may result from theft, accidental damage during construction, or natural wear and tear. Addressing this issue requires both preventive and corrective measures.

• Use of Optical Fiber Cables (OFC): Replace traditional copper cables with optical fiber cables, which are less prone to theft and provide better reliability for signal transmission.
• Cable Trenching and Armouring: Lay cables at greater depths and use armoured protection to make them less accessible and more resistant to accidental damage or deliberate cuts.
• Real-time Monitoring Systems: Implement Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to monitor the health of signaling cables and detect faults immediately.
• Regular Patrolling and Surveillance: Increase patrolling along railway tracks, especially in vulnerable areas, and use CCTV cameras to deter theft and vandalism.
• Public Awareness and Community Participation: Conduct awareness campaigns in nearby communities to inform people about the dangers and legal consequences of tampering with railway cables.
• Coordination with Local Authorities: Collaborate with local police and administration to monitor construction activities near railway tracks and prevent accidental cable cuts.
• Redundant Signaling Systems: Install backup signaling systems or wireless signaling as a fail-safe, so that train operations can continue safely even if the main cable is damaged.
• Strict Legal Action: Enforce stringent penalties for cable theft and sabotage to deter potential offenders.