BTN News: Another train accident in the Siliguri sub-division of West Bengal has further exposed the wide gaps in the safety infrastructure of the Indian Railways. Eight persons were killed and several injured, as 12 persons are stated critical after the rear two compartments of Kanchanjnaga Express (15051 Up) were derailed in collision between the train and a goods train standing on the same track. Initial reports indicate it was “by human error.” This incident has amplified the demands for the indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system – Kavach-the name for the ATP system we are developing indigenously.
The Incident
On Monday, the Kanchanjunga Express found itself in a deadly tailend collision with a goods train while at Kathiar, which caused two of its trailing carriages to derail. There have been casualties among the passengers due to human error suspect in this mistake. The incident has once again put the focus on the type of railway safety systems available and the use of the Kavach system on such rail sections.
Expert Commentary
Railway Board Chairman and CEO Jaya Varma Sinha said Kavach in the state announced the deployment of the West. Mr Sinha said this system was important to stop events like this occurring into the future, and to protect passengers and staff on the railway.
What is Kavach?
Kavach (Hindi word for Armour) is an advanced indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed to improve the safety in Indian Railways. It aids in integrating line-side signals into the cabin of the driver, so that the loco pilot need not have to physically look at trackside signals. Some features of Kavach:
Signal Integration: Combines green, yellow and red signals and displays in the driver cabin.
Collision Warning: Automatically applies the brakes when the system detects a possible misleading signal from the driver.
Better Visibility: Clears signal visibility in inclement weather e.g. fog.
Live Updates: Real-time updates on the movement of trains.
Auto Whistle: Turns on whistles at grade crossing for bystander notifications.
Direct Communication: Its canalization permits the direct communication between locomotives that prevents collisions of other trains.
Emergency SOS – SOS call to emergency services.
Safety Benefits of Kavach
These are some of the many safety updates that the Kavach system provides which could have avoided the cut and paste job at Siliguri. The program aims to mitigate the risk of human error by making sure signals are clearly visible to drivers and by automatically applying brakes in hazardous situations. Its collaboration of trains is another layer of security to prevent collisions.
Conclusion
A recent train accident in Siliguri acted as a reminder that safety needs to be looked into more deeply before investing in advanced safety measures to bring the railway systems in India up to the speed. The Kavach system, if implemented, can be a game-changer in avoiding such tragedy. With Railway Board pushing for its production across West Bengal, emphasis continues to be on safety precautions and welfare of passengers and railway staff.
