The North Eastern Railway (NER) is nearing the implementation of the 'Kavach' train collision avoidance system. 3295 km of optical fiber has been laid, and preparations for an LTE network are underway. Towers will be erected followed by the installation of RFID tags on the tracks. The NER has completed laying...
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optical fiber across 3295 km of track on key railway routes in preparation for equipping them with the 'Kavach' Version-4 automatic train protection system. Only 155 km of track remains. Estimates are being made for installing an LTE system. This will be submitted to the board for budget approval, after which work will begin. Once the LTE system is complete, towers will be erected, and RFID tags will be installed on the tracks. Once all three stages are complete, the NER's Chhapra-Gorakhpur-Barabanki route will be equipped with Kavach. The project has a budget of ₹467 crore. Kavach ensures that if two trains approach each other on the same track, they will automatically stop at a safe distance. It is so precise that even if two trains collide at full speed, they will not collide. The train will automatically brake upon encountering a red signal. Additionally, all trains within a 5-km radius will be brought to a halt. The system will also protect trains approaching from behind. The first phase of the Kavach system implementation, covering 1440 km of track on 10 different routes, has been approved. Kavach monitors the locomotive pilot's actions, including braking, horn, and throttle usage. If the driver makes any mistakes, Kavach will first issue an audio-visual alert. If there is no response, the system will automatically apply brakes to the moving train. Additionally, it will prevent the train from exceeding the designated speed limit. RFID devices will be installed within the train engine, signal system, and railway stations. The system utilizes technologies like GPS, radio frequency, etc. Two fatal head-on collisions occurred on the NER, one on 26 May 2014 between the Gorakhdham Superfast train and a goods train near Chureb station, killing 32 people, including a month-old infant, and two crew members. 158 people were injured. The second collision, on 30 September 2014, involved the Lucknow-Barauni Express and the Krishak Express near Gorakhpur Cantt railway station, resulting in 13 deaths and over 50 injuries.