INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Rescue work underway after a collision between the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train, near Rangapani railway station, on Monday, June
At least 15 people were killed and 60 others suffered injuries, according to officials
(Photo: PTI)3 min read Last Updated : Jun 17 2024 | 4:05 PM IST
At least 15 lives were lost and over 60 passengers injured when a goods
train collided with the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express in Darjeeling on Monday
region.
A viral video of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the capabilities of Kavach has sparked renewed scrutiny
Railways plans to deploy the safety system on the Delhi-Guwahati route under its goal to cover over 6,000 km of tracks by next year
Bengal falls within the 3,000 km of tracks set to be protected by Kavach this year
safeguarding 1,500 km of tracks, Kavach was slated to expand to 2,000 km in the 2022-23 fiscal year, with plans to eventually cover 34,000
Kavach is and how does it work?What is Kavach?
Kavach, an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed domestically by the Research
Design and Standards Organisation (RSCO) in collaboration with three Indian firms, aims to enhance railway safety.
The system not only
regulates train speeds but also aids locomotive drivers in detecting danger signals, ensuring safe operations even in adverse weather
It employs RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags placed on tracks and station yards to identify track positions and train directions
When activated, trains within a 5 km radius halt to allow safe passage of adjacent trains.
The On Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA)
enables locomotive pilots to view signals even in poor visibility conditions, reducing reliance on manual visual checks.
In a successful
test highlighted by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in 2022, Kavach demonstrated its capability to prevent rear-end collisions,
automatically halting a locomotive just 380 meters from another in front.
Moreover, the system facilitates emergency communication,
relaying SoS messages during critical situations.First Published: Jun 17 2024 | 4:05 PMIST
