Odisha Train Tragedy: All About Kavach Anti-Collision Device And How It Works

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Kavach, is an indigenous National Automatic Train Protection System developed by RSDO in association with three Indian vendors. 

The train route where the three ill-fated trains collided near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district did not have the Kavach system installed, said Indian Railways spokesperson Amitabh Sharma on Saturday, killing 261 passengers and over 9000 injured. Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Kavach, is an indigenous National Automatic Train Protection System developed by Research Design and Standards Organisation in association with three Indian vendors.

At least 10 to 12 coaches of the high-speed train derailed and encroached on to the opposite track, which led to the derailment of 3-4 coaches of train travelling from Yeshwanthpur to Howrah in one of the worst train accidents in the country. 

What Is Kavach?

Kavach, meaning armour, aids the loco pilot to avoid Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and over speeding. It controls the speed of the train by automatic application of brakes in case the loco pilot fails to apply the brakes. 

The ATP system also helps a train run safely during inclement weather such as dense fog. 

It also prevents collision by direct loco to loco communication and supports the feature of SOS in case of any mishap to control other trains in vicinity. 

The Kavach also facilitates continuous update of Movement Authority with display of signal aspects in Driver Machine Interface (DMI) / Loco Pilot operation cum Indication Panel (LPOCIP). 

How Does Kavach Work?

Using high frequency radio communication, the Kavach operates on the principle of continuous update of movement to prevent collisions. It automatically activates the brakes if the driver fails to do so and also applies brakes to prevent collision between two trains installed with the system. 

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are installed on tracks and at station yards for identification of tracks and locating trains and their direction. When the system is activated, all trains withing the vicinity of 5 kilometres are stopped and the train on the adjacent track is let to pass safely. 

The The On Board Display of Signal Aspect (OBDSA) helps loco pilots to view the signals on days with low visibility due to bad weather, which they usually have to spot by looking out of the window.