The Railway Ministry has said that the implementation of anti-train collision, Kavach, is being done in a rapid manner on 3,000 route kilometre. This comes a day after two trains collided in West Bengal.
On June 17, a goods train collided with the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to around 40 others. This led to a criticism of the railways over the implementation of Kavach.
What did the ministry say on Kavach?
The ministry has stated that Kavach is a complex system comprising six major sub-systems: laying optical fiber cables along the track, installing telecom towers along the tracks, equipping these towers and trains with telecom equipment, setting up data centers at stations and integrating them with the signal system, installing equipment on the tracks, and finally installing equipment on locomotives and trains.
“The system was finally certified in 2019. Despite Covid challenges, work progressed and now the railway as well as equipment manufacturers are geared up to take up large projects. At this point of time, work is progressing rapidly on 3,000 km routes. Design work for other routes is also progressing very fast,” a senior official from the railway ministry said.
The official added that Kavach has been implemented on 1,465 route kilometre and 121 locomotives. “Besides, the Agra division has developed a complete Kavach network on the 80-km stretch between Mathura (excluding the station) and Palwal to conduct trials on various types of engines and trains,” they added.
(With PTI inputs)
