What is Kavach system, which is being discussed after Odisha train accident
In this technique, if any danger is suspected, the train automatically brakes. The purpose of the technology is that no matter what the speed of the trains is, but due to the armour, the trains will not collide. Rail Kavach is an automatic train protection system. This is called ‘Train Collision Avoidance System’ i.e. TCAS. It was completed in India in 2012.
Fund not fully utilized
According to the CAG report, the government had set up a fund called Rashtriya Rail Suraksha Kosh (RRSK) in 2017-18. In this, a total of Rs 1 lakh crore will be spent over a period of 5 years for important security related works. The CAG has found that the fund allocation during the year 2017-18 to 2020-21 has been less than the target. According to the report, the total expenditure on priority works of the National Rail Safety Fund decreased from 81.55 per cent in 2017-18 to 73.76 per cent in 2019-20. Allocation of funds for track renewal works reduced from Rs 9607.65 crore (2018-19) to Rs 7417 crore in 2019-20. The funds allocated for track renewal works were also not fully utilised.
The accident would not have happened if the armor was on
According to media reports, if the engines of the Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah superfast trains had armor, then such an accident could have been avoided. If the Coromandel Express crossed the wrong signal from the control room, the automatic pilot and the control room would have been alerted. In this way the train itself would have stopped before hitting the goods train. Similarly, if the engine of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast had been fitted with armor, this train would have stopped before the accident.