India PSU News: Rail Safety, Disaster Drills & Governance Updates

New Delhi, November 5, 2025 — India’s Public Sector Units (PSUs) played a decisive role today in addressing national emergencies, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure safety. From railway operations in Chhattisgarh to coastal drills in Tamil Nadu and Odisha, PSU agencies showcased operational readiness and inter-agency coordination.

Railway PSUs Under Scrutiny After Bilaspur Collision

A tragic railway collision in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has brought renewed focus on safety protocols across PSU-operated zones. Early Wednesday morning, a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, resulting in eight fatalities and multiple injuries.

The section falls under South East Central Railway, part of Indian Railways, one of India’s largest public sector employers. The Ministry of Railways has ordered a high-level inquiry and announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families.

Preliminary findings suggest a signal failure may have contributed to the accident, though officials have not ruled out human error. The tragedy has intensified calls to accelerate the rollout of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systemsand modern signaling upgrades across PSU-managed routes.

NDMA and IMD Lead Tsunami Awareness Drills Across Coastal States

Marking World Tsunami Awareness Day, PSU-led agencies including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) conducted mock drills and awareness campaigns along India’s eastern coast.

The coordinated exercises spanned Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, engaging district administrations, school networks, and port authorities. These drills tested early warning systems, evacuation routes, and multi-agency coordination during simulated tsunami alerts.

Supporting PSUs such as Indian Oil Corporation, Shipping Corporation of India, and Port Trusts activated their emergency response units, ensuring real-time testing of communication and logistics readiness.

NDMA Chairperson emphasized that “India’s public sector institutions must remain technologically agile and socially responsive to climate-induced risks.” Officials reiterated that community-level preparedness and local training remain vital for minimizing disaster impact in vulnerable coastal areas.

Airports Authority of India Issues Cargo Safety Advisory

Following a UPS MD-11 cargo aircraft crash near Louisville Airport, Kentucky, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a nationwide safety advisory for PSU-managed airports. While the incident occurred overseas, AAI urged Indian terminals to reassess night-time cargo handling, ground crew procedures, and emergency response mechanisms.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all PSU airports to submit compliance reports within 72 hours, focusing on cargo bay inspections, crew retraining, and runway lighting standards. The directive underscores India’s proactive approach to aviation safety oversight and cross-learning from global incidents.

Strategic Implications for PSU Governance

Today’s events highlight the strategic role of India’s PSUs in managing national infrastructure and public safety. The Bilaspur rail collision underscores the urgency of upgrading legacy systems and enhancing human-machine coordination, while NDMA-led tsunami drills demonstrate proactive risk-mitigation frameworks.

Together, these actions reaffirm the importance of India’s public sector in strengthening governance, accountability, and resilience amid evolving climate and safety challenges.