What is the Kavach framework and might it at some point have deflected the Odisha train mishap?

In a terrible accident that occurred on Friday in the Balasore district of Odisha, three trains collided, killing over 288 people and injuring 900 others.

The Coromandel Express moving onto the loop line rather than the main line, according to the preliminary report on Saturday's Odisha train accident from Friday. A merchandise train was at that point stopped on the circle line.

The possibility that the Kavach system could have prevented the fatal accident is now being debated.

WHAT IS KAVACH? 

The indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System known as "Kavach," which literally translates to "armor," was developed in 2002 by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) in collaboration with three Indian vendors. The RDSO capabilities under the Railroad Service.

It was announced as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the Union Budget of 2022.

When a train passes a stop signal when it is not permitted to do so, a signal is passed at danger (SPAD). In the event that the loco pilot is unable to do so, Kavach automatically applies the brakes to control the train's speed.

In the event that a locomotive pilot over speeds and ignores signals, the Kavach assists. It helps train operations through bad weather and thick fog. The Kavach system can consequently apply brakes while required, permitting better control of speed.

It was made to automatically stop a train when it sees another train on the same line within a predetermined distance.

The Kavach system's most important features include an SOS feature in case of an emergency, automatic whistling at level crossings, direct loco-to-loco communication to avoid the collision, better visibility in fog at higher speeds with line-side signal display in the cabin, and automatic brake application in the event that the locomotive pilot overrides signaling.

COULD KAVACH HAVE HELPED AVERT ODISHA ACCIDENT? 

After the Odisha train accident, Kavach has become a topic of discussion, with many suggesting that its installation could have prevented the accident.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, paid a visit to the crash site in Balasore and inquired as to why the Coromandel Express did not have an anti-collision system installed.

Officials at the railroad have already confirmed that the fatal trains did not have Kavach capabilities. Despite this, there are divergent viewpoints regarding whether or not the installation of the Kavach could have prevented the tragedy.

Addressing India Today, Sudhanshu Mani, the mind behind the Vande Bharat Express said, "Kavach could never have halted this mishap." He went on to say that the derailment of the first train appears to have been the primary cause of the accident and that the government ought to look into why it occurred.

WHAT THE PROBE REPORT HINTS AT 

The accident on Friday involved goods train as well as two passenger trains: the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express.

According to the preliminary investigation report, the goods train may have been moved onto the loop line to make room for the Coromandel Express.

The Coromandel Express received a signal to cross the main line while the good train waited. In any case, the tracks drove the Coromandel Express to the circle line on which the merchandise train was stopped.

It appears that it collided with the goods train, sending some coaches flying onto the downline where the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was traveling and colliding with it.

While Coromandel Express was at a speed of 128 mph, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was running at a speed of 116 mph, PTI cited sources as saying.

According to sources, the preliminary investigation report has been sent to the Railway Board.