What Caused Kanchanjunga Express Accident? Was Kavach System Fitted On The Train? Details Here

A goods train on Wednesday rammed into the Kanchanjunga Express, killing 15 people. The accident raised questions about fixing the responsibility and presence of the Kavach safety system on the trains.

The Kanchanjunga Express train accident has brought to fore the margin of human error and the importance of a secured-automatic braking system, such as the Kavach, on trains. The train accident on Monday occurred when a speeding goods train rammed into a stationary Kanchanjunga Express, killing at least 15. 

The impact of the collision was such that two coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were hurled 20 feet away, while one landed on the roof of the goods train, precariously hanging over it.

The question that arises is how two trains come to be on the same track. A preliminary inquiry by the Railway Board found that a human error was behind the tragedy as the driver of the goods train did not heed the signal.

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What The Railways Says

Railway Board CEO and Chairman Jaya Verma Sinha said that the loco pilot of the goods train ignored the signal. "The accident occurred on Wednesday morning. A freight train collided with the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express. The driver [loco pilot] ignored the signal and rammed into the train. The impact of the accident was worst on the driver's coach and the parcel van coach at the back of the Kanchanjunga Express. Two drivers, who were present on the goods train at that time, have died. Guards of the Kanchenjunga Express also lost their lives. Helpdesks have been set up at all railway stations on the Agartala-Sealdah route."

This leads to the question if a Kavach system could have prevented the loss of lives.

What Is Kavach?

Human errors often involve missing signals and overspeeding, leading to accidents. Kavach is a system developed specifically for such situations. The indigenously developed Kavach automatic train protection system helps loco pilots spot signals early and automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to do so. The train collision avoidance system was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RSCO).

The Kavach system also helps in avoiding accidents in low-visibility conditions.

Could A Kavach System Have Prevented The Collision?

Going by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's demonstration, a Kavach anti-collision system could have prevented the accident. Vaishnaw had personally tested the Kavach system on a train in 2022. However, the Kavach system is unlikely to have been present either of the trains. 

Here's a video of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the efficacy of the system.

Why Was Kavach System Not Present On Kanchanjunga Express?

According to a December 2023 government statement, the Kavach system is available on 1,465 Route km route and 139 locomotive units on the South Central Railway. Till last December, Kavach tenders had been rolled out for around 3,000 km route on the Delhi-Mumbai & Delhi-Howrah corridors.

The Business Today reported that the Indian Railways was rolling out tenders to cover another 10,000 km under the Kavach system. Economic Times, quoting Railway Board CEO Jaya Varma Sinha, reported that the Kavach system was not available on the Guwahati-Bengal route, on which the Kanchanjunga Express was plying.