Established on January 1, 2025, as a 69th division under the Northern Railway Zone, The Jammu Railway Division is to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 6, 2025. This division is set to enhance the management and efficiency of train services in the northernmost region of India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir. This moment of inauguration is a big deal for the region, giving a long-awaited answer to the calls for better railway management and stronger connectivity. For years, people in the area, along with groups like the Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, have been pushing for this change, seeing it as a vital step for boosting local links. Right now, Indian Railways runs 17 zones with 68 divisions. But with the addition of this new Jammu division, the total number of divisions will go up to 70, still under the same 17 zones.
New Division to Oversee Iconic Rail Projects Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns
The newly established division will oversee operations on India's iconic rail projects, including the country's first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge and the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River at Kauri. However, despite the promising outlook, the inauguration comes at a time when the railway system continues to struggle with safety concerns. One key issue that has been discussed is the recurring safety failures linked to the lack of operational safety systems like Kavach—a train collision avoidance system. The absence of this technology on certain routes has been cited in previous accidents, raising questions about the preparedness of the infrastructure to handle the increasing passenger loads and the mountainous terrain in the region.
Ashvini Vaishnav’s Role
India’s Railway Minister, Ashvini Vaishnav has played a major role in modernising the nation’s railway system. His leadership has led to the creation of Jammu Railway Division, aiming to enhance connectivity and safety in the region. With his guidance significant investments have been made to improve safety measures and overall efficiency. His efforts have included promoting the implementation of cutting-edge technologies such as the Kavach safety system, as well as ensuring that older infrastructure receives the necessary upgrades to meet modern standards. He will also be present in Jammu playing a key role in inauguration along with PM Modi.
Railway Incidents of Mismanagement and Safety Concerns
Passengers have been subjected to unsafe, outdated tracks and trains for years. While the new division is expected to address some of these issues, it's crucial to ask whether the existing infrastructure—especially the old tracks—are properly maintained or if this is just another move towards superficial change. Reports of past accidents, where trains were involved in collisions, raise concerns about whether adequate measures are in place to protect passengers. The government’s response, often citing that Kavach was not operational on the affected routes, leaves many questioning whether it’s enough to just lay the foundation for a new division or if greater attention needs to be paid to safety and maintenance of existing infrastructure.
For example, the tragic collision involving the Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train near New Jalpaiguri in June 2024 resulted in significant casualties. Investigations revealed that the accident was caused because of the lack of Kavach system on that route.
In addition to the recurring accidents, recent incidents have sparked concerns about the overall management of Indian Railways. One such case was the viral video shared by Indian Railways, which showed a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) performing CPR on a conscious passenger. The video, initially shared by the railway authorities, was later deleted due to the disturbing nature of the incident. This incident, along with several others, highlights the systemic issues that have plagued Indian Railways for years—issues not just related to infrastructure but also to staff preparedness, safety protocols, and passenger care.
On July 18, 2024, several coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident resulted in at least 2 fatalities and 20 injuries. Another similar incident occured on July 30 2024, the Howrah Mumbai Mail Derailment near Badabamboo in Jharkhand. 18 out of 20 coaches derailed after colliding with a previously derailed freight train. The accident resulted in two fatalities and over 40 injuries. As per the RTI Report, 18 train accidents took place in the first five months of 2024, averaging 3 per month. The report attributed these incidents to poor track renewal, raising public safety concerns amid high profile projects.
Is India Ready for Future Railways ?
While new projects are crucial, it’s important to understand that infrastructure cannot be transformed overnight. The larger question still remains: Are we really prepared for the coming years, or are we simply covering up past mistakes without addressing the core issues? As PM Modi takes the stage to inaugurate the Jammu Railway Division, the nation must wonder whether the authorities will truly focus on modernization, or once again, the people will face the consequences of a neglected railway system.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
*The views expressed are personal to the author and do not reflect the platform's opinion of the same.
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Author's Bio
Khan Nabeela is a passionate content writer, creative writer, and poet whose work has garnered national recognition. A recipient of a national certificate for her poem, she was honored to be among the Top 100 Poets of India. Nabeela’s works have been published in numerous books and anthologies, reflecting her skill in weaving emotions with words. With expertise across various writing genres, she brings both creativity and precision to her work, making her a versatile writer who excels in both content creation and literary expression.
