photo: unlistedsightings / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons/Indian railway; illustrative photo
India’s Railway Ministry is developing plans to introduce automatic couplers by 2030. Inspired by Europe’s Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) program, the goal is to improve worker safety and reduce manual labor.
The implementation of automatic couplers is currently being discussed in the Railway Board and railway companies, with India considering multiple development options. A high-ranking railway official told Moneycontrol that manual coupling will remain, as no level of automation or technology can completely replace the process under Indian railway conditions. Various proposals for coupling automation are under discussion.
DAC Expected to Improve Railway Safety
One of the alternatives being considered is improving safety regulations for manual coupling along with modernizing safety equipment used in the process. Railway worker safety has become a critical issue following yet another accident in the Barauni railway hub in Bihar, where a shunter was killed while attempting to uncouple a train that unexpectedly started reversing, according to Times of India. The train trapped him between the wagons. The train’s driver allegedly fled the scene after the emergency alarm was raised and did not take any countermeasures, such as stopping or reversing the locomotive to prevent the accident. Indian Railways has ordered an investigation to determine whether safety regulations were violated.
A preliminary inquiry identified a coordination failure between stationmasters handling manual coupling. One stationmaster allegedly gave incorrect signals to the locomotive driver, leading to the crushing of another stationmaster who was positioned between the locomotives.
Accidents Are Not Isolated Cases
In 2024 alone, there have been at least 13 accidents related to manual coupling, resulting in the deaths of seven railway workers. According to India’s Ministry of Railways, between 2019 and November 2023, approximately 361 railway workers lost their lives while on duty.
Earlier this month, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that LHB coaches are equipped with automatic buffer couplers, which allow coupling without manual intervention. "ICF coaches, designed and developed in the 1960s, were fitted with screw couplers and side buffers, requiring manual coupling. More modern LHB coaches were only introduced by Indian Railways in 1999-2000." These LHB coaches feature central buffer couplers, where coupling occurs automatically without manual assistance.
Source: moneycontrol.com