‘Kavach’could have averted Odisha Train Mishap? Experts Differ In Opinions

Since the horrific 3 train accident on Friday, ‘Kavach’ has become a hot topic of discussion. Opinions of experts and officials varied on whether ‘Kavach’ which is National Automatic Train Protection System, could have altered the tragic train tragedy in Odisha. ‘Kavach’ is designed to stop collision between trains on the same track.

What experts say?

According to several experts, ‘Kavach’ would have not been able to prevent the train crash as the Coromandel Express was running at more than 120 kmph which suddenly entered the loop line due to which there wasn’t enough time to apply automatic brakes to avoid collision with the goods train.

No anti-collision device on train

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said, “There was no anti-collision device on the train, as far as I know. Had the device been on the train, this would not have happened.”
Designer of Bharat Express, Sudhanshu Mani mentioned,”Kavach couldn’t have stopped this accident, Coromandel Express driver could not have pulled the brakes when he saw the obstruction as the train was running at high speed.”

No distance for breaking system to be effective

‘Kavach’ is a patent of Research Designs and Standard Organization, a unit of railways automatically which controls the speed of trains by applying brakes whenever there is a situation like collision. While Experts said that anti collision systems work to prevent both rear collision and head on collision between two trains running on the same track, but in Odisha train crash the Coramandel Express suddenly entered the loop line where the goods train was already standing, so there was no distance for automatic breaking system to be effective. An official said, “Even if the breaks were applied the train still would have covered some distance before stopping as it was moving at a high speed.”

Also Read: Major Negligence: Ex-Railway Minister Lalu Yadav Calls For High-Level Probe Into Odisha Train Accident