Indian Railways on Sunday said that indigenously-developed automatic train protection system "Kavach," which was not installed on the route where the accident in Odisha's Balasore occurred on Friday evening, could not have prevented it.
In the tragic train accident, two passenger trains and a goods train collided, resulting in loss of at least 275 lives and leaving approximately 1,000 injured.
In response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's query about the absence of Kavach, Railway Board's Member, Operations and Business Development Jaya Varma Sinha, reiterated Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement that the crash was unrelated to Kavach.
According to her, Kavach would not have prevented such an accident as there are certain incidents that no technology in the world can avert, citing the example of boulders suddenly falling in front of vehicles to illustrate her point.
Sinha said that the system is designed to detect instances where a locomotive pilot jumps a signal, known as Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD), which is one of the primary causes of train collisions. When the system identifies another train on the same track within a predetermined distance, it promptly alerts the locomotive pilot, takes control of the brakes, and automatically brings the train to a halt.
"Currently, restoration work is in progress at the incident site, and it is anticipated that two railway lines will be operational by 8 p.m. today. However, trains are expected to operate at reduced speeds initially. An inquiry is underway, with investigations being conducted from various perspectives. While the initial assessment suggests that the issue could be related to signalling, no conclusive authentication can be provided at this time," Sinha added.
Govt continued development despite Covid & ethnic violence: Manipur CM
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday said that despite the state losing four-and-a-half-years to the COVID-19 pandemic and ethnic violence, the government has continued the developmental works in the state.
BAPS Hindu Mandir and cultural complex opens in South Africa’s Johannesburg
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex in Northriding, Johannesburg officially opened its doors on Monday, following the sacred Pran Pratishtha ceremony, led by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the global spiritual leader of BAPS.
We will ensure RG Kar victim gets justice: Bengal Guv
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said on Monday that the government would ensure that the RG Kar case victim gets justice.
They damage the nation abroad: EAM Jaishankar slams Rahul’s ‘falsehood’ on ‘Trump invite’ claims
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday hit back at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his claims that the former went to the United States of America to get an invitation for Donald Trump’s inauguration, stating that such falsified statements only go on to harm the ‘interests and reputation’ of the country abroad.
Positive impact of regular contacts evident in India-Russia strategic partnership: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday asserted that the "positive impact" of regular contacts is evident in the broader 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' which continues to benefit significantly from the ongoing interaction at various levels.
Over to voters: High-decibel campaign for Delhi election ends
Campaigning for the most hotly contested Assembly election in Delhi ever ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, drawing curtains on months-long, high-decibel electioneering replete with AI-generated memes, acerbic jibes and venomous barbs and a race to woo voters with freebies, including monthly doles to women and the youth.
Rahul Gandhi’s rare praise for ‘Make In India’ project in LS, followed by jibe
Congress MP and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday made a rare praise for the ‘Make In India’ program, even commending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the ‘good idea’ but then went to disapprove it by calling it ‘damp squib’.
Govt likely to introduce new income tax bill on Feb 6
After the revision in tax slabs in the Union Budget 2025-26 to leave 'enough money in the hands' of taxpayers, the government is likely to unveil the much-anticipated draft of the new Income Tax Bill on February 6.