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What is KAVACH And How It Could Have Averted Odisha Coromandel Train Accident? EXPLAINED
Odisha Train Accident: While a high-level probe panel has been set up to find out what exactly happened, the railway officials have confirmed that had there been a 'Kavach' system on the route, the catastrophe could have been averted.
Updated Jun 5, 2023 | 11:56 AM IST
Odisha Train Accident
Photo : PTI
Odisha Coromandel Train Accident: In one of the deadliest train accidents in India, nearly 300 people lost their lives and more than 1000 were left injured when three trains (Coromandel Shalimar Express, Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast and a goods train) collided in Odisha's Balasore. The disastrous train mishap happened when the Coromandel Shalimar Express, heading to Chennai, derailed and hit a goods train, leading several coaches to flip over. The Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast then crashed into the derailed coaches of the other two trains. Both trains were reportedly moving at a high speed when the accident took place.
Photo : PTI
While a high-level probe panel has been set up to find out what exactly happened, the railway officials have confirmed that had there been a 'Kavach' system on the route, the catastrophe could have been averted. “The rescue operation has been completed. Now, we are starting the restoration work. Kavach was not available on this route,” Indian Railways Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said.
WHAT IS KAVACH?
Kavach is an anti-train collision system which alerts a loco pilot when it jumps a signal. It is designed to prevent train collisions by automatically applying the brakes in the event of a signal passing at danger (SPAD) or overspeeding. Kavach uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate between the locomotive and the trackside infrastructure. The system is currently being deployed on a trial basis on a few select routes. In the 2022 Budget, the central government announced the Kavach system as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The system was designed to be installed on 2,000 kilometres of rail network. After the Odisha train accident, videos of rail minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the Kavach system are doing the rounds. Check out the video below:-
As the gate approaches, Kavach automatically initiates whistling without any intervention from the driver.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 4, 2022
Auto whistle test is done successfully. 👏👏#BharatKaKavach pic.twitter.com/02WrSJ1MYl
FEATURES OF KAVACH
The Kavach system has a number of features that make it an effective train protection system. Here are some of its features.
Photo : Twitter
- Automatic braking: The system automatically applies the brakes if the locomotive approaches a signal at danger or exceeds the permitted speed.
- In-cab signalling: The system displays the current signal indication in the locomotive cab, which helps the driver to avoid SPADs.
- Speed restriction: The system can be configured to restrict the speed of the train to a specified value. This can be used to prevent overspeeding in areas where there is a risk of collisions.
- Train integrity monitoring: The system can monitor the integrity of the train, such as the presence of all the coaches and the condition of the brakes. This can help to prevent derailments and other accidents.
HOW DOES KAVACH WORK?
Kavach uses a network of devices mounted on trains to avoid collisions. The devices use radio technology and GPS to precisely assess the location of two trains and automatically initiate the braking system if they are at risk of colliding.
BHARAT KA KAVACH: COULD IT HAVE AVERTED ODISHA TRAIN ACCIDENT?
After the tragic train mishap, Railways confirmed that Kavach was not available on this route. Besides, Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale has also targeted the government asking why only 2% of the total railway routes were brought under Kavach. Moreover, he claimed Kavach was a repackaging of an anti-collision device, proposed by Mamata Banerjee when she was the railway minister.
Shocking facts about Modi Govt criminally ignoring railway anti-collision technology:
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 3, 2023
👉 In 2011-12, Indian Railways under then Railways Minister @MamataOfficial developed the "Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)" system
👉 Modi Govt, after coming to power, typically…
Though it is yet to be ascertained what caused the crash, preliminary reports indicated a possible signalling failure led to the bloodbath on train tracks.
End of Article
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