Indian Railways has finished last financial year with achieving best safety record in 35 years. Despite being in headlines for several fatal derailments in 2017-18, the Indian trains recorded 73 accidents in 2017-18, ending up for the first time in two-digit figures in more than three decades, according to a report in The Indian Express.

For the first time since 1968-69, the number of railway accidents recorded was in three digits. It fell to 908 from the 1,111 in the previous year. Since then, the three-digit figures have remain the norms, except in 1980-81, when the Railways recorded 1,013 accidents. However, it was back to 797 accidents in the following year.

The 2017-18 numbers in depth

This comes as a big relief for Railways as it is constantly looking to introduce measures for reducing mishaps. It has recorded 29 per cent fall in accidents from previous year, in which the numbers stood at 104.

There was also a reduction in derailments. Last fiscal, the Railways saw 68 derailments, which came down to 39 this time.

Accidents at unmanned level crossings have also come down from 15 to just eight.

As the number of accidents came down in the past year, the casualty figures were also much lower than 2016-17, said the report.

Steps taken to increase safety

New Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani have been focusing on safety upgrade works. Lohani said there was immense emphasis on safety everywhere. The department has roped in a voluntary reporting system now, which empowers every railway employee to anonymously report any safety-related lapse anywhere in India, he said.