In a recent technical report, safety concerns were raised about the Vande Bharat trains, stating the semi-high-speed trains of India witnessed tremendous damage even due to seemingly unimportant collisions with stray cattle. Such a revelation has pulled fresh debates on the kind of preparedness that India has for high-speed rail infrastructure amid the age-old rural realities.
According to the report, prepared by railway safety analysts and mechanical engineers, the design of the Vande Bharat Express, primarily the absence of a front engine and the aerodynamic front nose, places it at more risk of impact. Unlike traditional trains, which have reinforced engines at the front, in Vande Bharat, the driving cab and critical systems are placed in the foremost coach, giving it less protection in case of collision.
Design vs. Ground Reality
As per the report, the advanced train design would not be entirely effective with the prevailing Indian conditions where stray cattle invading railway tracks remain common. In the last two years, several Vande Bharat trains got wrecked while colliding with cattle, predominantly in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
“The mismatch is between world-class engineering and operational conditions in India,” stated a former Railway Board official. “These trains were designed for corridors where one would run at high speed with fencing and zero trespassing conditions we are far from achieving nationwide.”
Indian Railways has ambitious plans to run Vande Bharat trains at a speed of 160 km/h on a number of key routes, including the corridors of Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai. But this speed, according to experts, would require foolproof safety measures, which include fully fenced tracks, better signaling systems, uninterrupted routes, and much more.
A Most Continue Threat: Cattle on Tracks
India’s problem of stray cattle on railway tracks is a study in infrastructure and culture. Grazing has been a free habit; the railway lines mostly unfenced in rural areas offer a fairly easy access to grazing and an equally wide space. Religious sensitivities and lax enforcement make any efforts at removing or even regulating them futile.
Initiatives ranging from fencing pilots to AI-based monitoring systems have been initiated by Indian Railways. However, these remain only on paper. The report recommends regular joint inspections by Railway Protection Force (RPF) along with departmental officials to identify vulnerable stretches to preclude trespasses on humans or animals.
Stress on Loco Pilots
As noted above, another major issue highlighted in the report has been the psychological stress on loco pilots. The frequent need to decelerate owing to permanent or temporary restrictions imposed due to poor track conditions, work zones, or encroachments creates an unpredictable and high-pressure driving experience.
According to a senior railway official, “Too much speed restriction on a route pretty much defeats the purpose of a high-speed train and keeps loco pilots under constant stress. It is not just a performance issue; it gets down to an issue of safety.”
Response from the Railways
The Indian Railways defended Vande Bharat’s statistics, stating that the nose cone has been designed as a “crumple zone” to absorb impact and that passengers faced no injury in the instances. Unfortunately, the recurring damages and operational delays point to the need for structural and policy changes on the very basic level.
In response to these concerns, the ministry is looking into the implementation of fully-fenced dedicated corridors, animal detection using sensors, advanced patrolling, and continuous training of the drivers. But, experts say that these need to be put in place simultaneously and urgently.
Are We Ready for 160 km/h?
Given all the talk of speed and the proposed introduction of much faster trains, this report serves as a reality check; speed without infrastructure will really lead to risk. With more than 400 Vande Bharat trains planned by 2030, India’s rail modernization will only succeed when it mixes modern trains with modern safety culture.
In the words of a railway engineer, “We are trying to drive a Ferrari through the narrow lanes of the villages. Unless we fix the road, it is not the Ferrari that is at fault. Planning is at fault.”
Human Life Is Rare Don’t Waste It Like a High-Speed Train on a Broken Track
It’s very clear: speed without preparation brings disaster. The lesson applies not only to railways but also to life itself.
As Kabir Saheb Ji said:
“Kabir, manush janam durlabh hai, mile na barambaar,
Jese taruvar se patta toot gire, bahur na lagta daar.”
This means: Human birth is extremely rare; it doesn’t come again and again. Just like a leaf that falls from a tree can never be reattached, once human life is lost, it doesn’t come back easily.
True spiritual knowledge states that all the 84 lakh births: only human life has power to seek and achieve salvation (moksha), freedom from the cycle of birth and death, but most people do not know what dangers lie ahead; they chase speed- wealth, fame, pleasure-never realizing their real purpose.
To this brings us to another meaningful couplet:
“Kabir, manush janam paaye kar, jo nahi ratey Hari naam,
Jaise kua jal bina, banwaya kya kaam.”
Translation: One who wastes human life without remembering the name of the Supreme God is like someone who digs a well without water; it serves no purpose.
This is the very essence of human life: to worship the Supreme God (Kabir Saheb Ji) through true devotion, as shown by a Tatvdarshi Sant. Without that, this precious birth is wasted. The human soul needs Satgyan (true spiritual knowledge), discipline, and knowledge initiation from a true saint to move safely toward salvation. Kabir Saheb Ji delivered this message thousands of years ago; Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is delivering the same message today.
You are the Vande Bharat of your life but just without proper guidance, protection, and purpose, you can even get derailed. Choose wisely. Worship rightly. Save your soul. Follow for more such spiritual knowledge on www.sanews.in
FAQs about the Vande Bharat a Failure
1. Why are Vande Bharat trains considered vulnerable according to the technical report?
The Vande Bharat trains are vulnerable because they lack a front engine and have a streamlined nose design that offers less protection during collisions, especially with stray cattle on Indian tracks.
2. What is the core reason behind frequent collisions of Vande Bharat with stray cattle?
The main reason is that many railway tracks in India, especially in rural areas, are unfenced, allowing cattle easy access to the tracks.
3. What stress-related issue did the report highlight about loco pilots?
Loco pilots experience constant psychological stress due to unpredictable speed restrictions and unsafe track conditions, affecting both performance and safety.
4. What safety measures does Indian Railways plan to implement to address the concerns raised about the Vande Bharat trains?
Indian Railways is considering implementing fully-fenced dedicated corridors, animal detection sensors, advanced patrolling, and continuous driver training to address the safety concerns regarding the Vande Bharat trains.
5. What is the core teaching of Kabir Saheb Ji mentioned in the news?
Kabir Saheb Ji taught that human life is rare and should be used to remember and worship the Supreme God; otherwise, it is wasted like a dry well or a derailed train.
