Could Kavach Technology Prevent Kanchenjunga Train Accident?

The Kanchanjunga Express, bound for Kolkata, suffered a tragic derailment when it was hit from behind by a freight train. This calamitous incident resulted in 9 fatalities and left more than 50 people injured. The accident, which occurred in Darjeeling, raises questions about the potential benefits of the Kavach System, an indigenous automatic train protection system developed by Indian Railways. Had Kavach been implemented on this route, could the outcome have been different?

The cause of the recent train collision remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: the absence of the "Kavach" technology on the trains could have been a crucial factor. Had it been implemented, it's possible that the tragic loss of life could have been avoided. The accident in Darjeeling has resulted in 9 fatalities and over 50 injuries. The Kanchanjunga Express, bound for Kolkata, suffered a derailment, with some coaches being thrown off the tracks after a collision with a freight train.

"Former Railway Board Executive Director Prempal Sharma stated to a media outlet that the accident might have been avoidable had Kavach been implemented."

After today's accident, an old video of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the Kavach system has resurfaced on social media, raising questions about the absence of this technology in the trains. Officials have stated that the Kavach system has not yet been installed across much of the railway network.

What is a Viral Video?

In the viral video, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is seen explaining the Kavach system. The original video was released by the official Twitter account of the South-Central Railway in 2022.

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw @AshwiniVaishnaw

The Honorable Railway Minister provides a briefing during the live testing of the #kavach automatic train protection technology on the Lingampalli - Vikarabad section of the South-Central Railway #NationalSafetyDay @RailMinIndia @drmsecunderabad pic.twitter.com/jtW5EXECm3

— South Central Railway (@SCRailwayIndia) March 4, 2022