Kanchanjunga Express Accident: Causes, Investigation, and Railway Safety

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is T/A912 Authorization?
• Kanchanjunga express accident
• What is Kavach - Train Collision Avoidance System?

Why in News?

Nine people were killed, and at least 40 were injured when the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala was hit from the rear by a goods train. The accident occurred in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, 11 km from New Jalpaiguri station.

A combination of a signalling fault on the tracks before the New Jalpaiguri station and human error by the driver of the freight train are likely to have led to a deadly collision. In this context, experts highlight the importance of installing the anti-collision system 'Kavach' to control human errors.

What is T/A912 Authorization?

• About
  • Also known as paper line clearance, T/A912 authorization is a specific instruction given to train drivers in the event of a failure or defect in the automatic signalling system. 
  • It outlines the procedures and speed restrictions that must be followed to ensure safe train operations under such conditions.
• Procedures and speed restrictions
• Signal Procedure
  • When encountering an automatic signal displaying the "ON" aspect (red signal), the driver must stop the train.
  • The train must wait for the prescribed duration at the red signal: one minute during the day and two minutes at night.
• Proceeding with Caution
  • After the waiting period, the driver may proceed with extreme caution.
  • The maximum speed allowed is 15 kmph where visibility is good.
  • The maximum speed allowed is 10 kmph where visibility is poor (e.g., in case of rain).
  • The driver must maintain these restricted speeds until reaching the next stop signal or clear signal indication.

Kanchanjunga express accident

• The accident
  • Combination of faulty automatic signalling system and human error - possible reasons behind the accident
  • Faulty automatic signalling system
  • The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat junction in West Bengal was not working.
  • This prompted the Rangapani station manager to issue a cautionary note known as T/A912 to all drivers passing through the section.
• Human error
  • The driver of the Kanchanjunga Express followed the correct procedures during the defect in the automatic signalling system.
    • It stopped at all red signals for one minute and proceeding at 10 kmph. 
  • However, the goods train's driver ignored these norms and hit the stationary passenger train from behind.

What is Kavach - Train Collision Avoidance System?

• About
  • It is India’s very own automatic protection system in development since 2012, under the name Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
    • Later, it got rechristened to Kavach or “armour”.
  • Basically, Kavach is a state-of-the-art electronic system which was designed to help the Indian Railways achieve Zero Accidents.
• Development
  • It has been indigenously developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
  • Trails were facilitated by South Central Railway to achieve the corporate objective of safety in train operations.
• Functioning
  • A set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the track.
  • This enables the locomotives, signalling system and tracks to talk to each other using ultra high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers.
• Features
  • It activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions.
  • In addition, it prevents collision between two Locomotives equipped with a functional KAVACH system.
  • It is designed to assist locomotive pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and over speeding.
    • SPAD - when a train passes a stop signal when not allowed to do so.
    • SPADs are one of the potential precursors to railway accidents.
  • It will also provide support for train operations during adverse weather conditions such as dense fog.
  • It is a Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certified technology with the probability of error being one in 10,000 years.
• Other features
  • Automatic Braking for Prevention of Over Speeding
  • Auto Whistling while approaching Level Crossing Gates
  • SoS Messages during emergency situations
  • Centralised live monitoring of Train movements through Network Monitor System
• Deployment strategy
  • Indian Railways had plans to implement KAVACH protection system to an extent of 2000 km during 2022-23. 
  • Around 34,000 km of network will be brought under KAVACH.
• Benefits
  • Enhanced safety for Indian railways
  • World’s cheapest automatic train collision protection system
    • It costs ₹50 lakh per kilometre to operate compared to about ₹2 crore worldwide.
  • Opens avenues of export of this indigenous technology for Railways.

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Q.2. What is meant by collective responsibility of Council of Ministers?

Collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers means all ministers are collectively accountable to the parliament for government decisions and policies, standing or falling together as a unified body.

Source: Human Error In Bengal Train Accident? What Railway Board Boss Said | Indian Express | Hindustan Times | Times of India