Kavach safety system : At least eight passengers have tragically lost their lives, and over 50 others have been injured following a collision where a goods train rammed into the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express from behind. This devastating accident occurred in Darjeeling, Bengal, on a route where the Kavach safety system, an indigenously-developed automatic train protection system, is yet to be installed.
Tragic Train Collision in Bengal: Could This Safety System Have Prevented It?
The Kavach System
Kavach, developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with three Indian firms, is an advanced safety system designed to prevent accidents if two trains are traveling on the same line. This system is particularly crucial in enhancing railway safety and preventing collisions, especially in scenarios where human error could lead to disaster.
Key Features of Kavach:
- Automatic Braking: If a train driver fails to apply brakes on time, Kavach automatically takes control and slows down the train.
- RFID Technology: The system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags placed on tracks, at station yards, and signals. These tags help identify the train’s location and direction.
- Signal Display: On Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA) allows locomotive pilots to view signals even in low-visibility conditions, preventing accidents due to missed signals.
- Collision Avoidance: When activated, Kavach stops all trains within a 5 km radius to allow a safe passage for a train on an adjacent track.
Deployment and Coverage
Currently, Kavach is operational on over 1,500 km of Indian railway tracks. The Indian Railways has ambitious plans to expand this coverage to 6,000 km by the next year, with the ultimate goal of protecting around 34,000 km of rail network. The Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Guwahati routes are among the primary targets for this deployment.
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Challenges in Implementation:
While Kavach promises enhanced safety, its deployment across the vast Indian railway network poses significant challenges, primarily due to high costs and the extensive nature of the rail system. India’s railway network spans over 1 lakh kilometers, making the rollout of such advanced technology a gradual and resource-intensive process.
Incident Highlights
The absence of Kavach on the Darjeeling route where the collision occurred has raised questions about the speed and prioritization of its implementation. According to Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman of the Railway Board, Bengal is included in the initial 3,000 km set to be protected by Kavach this year, with full deployment aimed at high-traffic routes first.
Expert Opinions
Former Executive Director of Railway Board Prempal Sharma emphasized the potential of Kavach in preventing such accidents, highlighting its importance despite the high operational costs. Sharma noted, “If Kavach was deployed, something like this accident could likely be avoided. However, it’s a costly system to operate.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in an old video that resurfaced following the crash, demonstrated the efficacy of Kavach. In 2022, Vaishnaw tested the system, which successfully prevented a rear-end collision by stopping a locomotive 380 meters before it could collide with another.
Conclusion
The recent tragedy in Bengal underscores the critical need for advanced safety systems like Kavach across the Indian railway network. While significant progress has been made, the journey towards comprehensive rail safety requires accelerated efforts in deploying such technologies. The deployment of Kavach not only represents a technological advancement but also a commitment to safeguarding the lives of millions of passengers who rely on India’s railways daily.
FAQs about the Kavach Safety System and the Bengal Train Collision
1. What is the Kavach safety system?
- Kavach is an indigenously-developed automatic train protection (ATP) system designed to prevent train collisions by controlling train speeds and ensuring trains run safely.
2. How does the Kavach system work?
- Kavach controls train speed by automatically applying brakes if the driver fails to do so on time. It uses RFID tags on tracks to locate trains and ensure safe passage by stopping all trains within 5 km of an activated system.
3. Who developed the Kavach system?
- The Kavach system was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with three Indian firms.
4. What is the primary function of Kavach?
- The primary function of Kavach is to prevent collisions by automatically stopping trains when necessary, especially in situations of low visibility or when danger signals are missed.
5. How does Kavach ensure safety in low-visibility conditions?
- Kavach uses On Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA) to help loco pilots view signals even in low-visibility conditions, thereby preventing accidents.
6. What was the cause of the recent train collision in Bengal?
- A goods train rammed the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express from behind. The Kavach safety system was not available on the tracks where the collision occurred.
7. How many people were affected by the Bengal train collision?
- At least eight passengers died and over 50 others were injured in the collision.
8. Is the Kavach system implemented on all Indian railway tracks?
- No, Kavach is currently in place on over 1,500 km of tracks, with plans to extend it to more than 6,000 km by next year and eventually cover around 34,000 km.
9. What is the Railways Minister’s stance on Kavach?
- Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized the importance of Kavach and has personally tested the system to ensure its efficacy.
10. Why was Kavach not available on the Bengal route?
- The Kavach system has not yet been installed on much of the rail network, including the tracks in Darjeeling where the collision occurred.
11. What routes are currently protected by Kavach?
- Currently, the Kavach system is in place on certain routes, with plans to deploy it on the Delhi-Guwahati and Delhi-Howrah routes soon.
12. What are the future plans for Kavach implementation?
- The Indian Railways plans to extend Kavach to cover more than 34,000 km of the rail network, with significant expansion expected by next year.
13. What benefits does Kavach provide to train operations?
- Kavach enhances safety by preventing collisions, ensuring safe train speeds, and assisting loco pilots in low-visibility conditions.
14. How does Kavach impact train speeds and braking?
- Kavach can automatically apply brakes to control train speed if the driver does not respond in time, thus preventing potential accidents.
15. What technology does Kavach use for train identification and location?
- Kavach uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags placed on tracks and at station yards to identify tracks and locate trains and their directions.
16. How does Kavach prevent overshooting signals?
- Kavach sends a signal to the loco pilot when approaching a red signal and applies automatic brakes if necessary to prevent overshooting.
17. What was the response to the collision in terms of Kavach implementation?
- Following the collision, there is renewed emphasis on accelerating the implementation of Kavach across the rail network to prevent such incidents in the future.
18. What did the Railway Minister say about Kavach after testing it?
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that rear-end collision testing was successful, with Kavach stopping the locomotive before 380 meters of another locomotive.
19. How costly is the implementation of Kavach?
- Implementing Kavach is a costly endeavor, which has contributed to its gradual deployment across the extensive Indian railway network.
20. What measures are being taken to avoid future train collisions?
- The Indian Railways is focusing on expanding the Kavach system and other safety measures to enhance the overall safety of train operations and prevent future collisions.