’Kavach couldn’t have stopped Odisha train accident’: Here’s what Vande Bharat maker said

The Odisha train accident which has claimed close to 300 lives has highlighted the role of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System called ‘Kavach’ and how it could have possibly averted the Coromandel Express train accident. The railway line where the Odisha train accident occurred was not equipped with the 'Kavach' system. But, a railway expert Sudhanshu Mani who is the brain behind India's Vande Bharat Express opined that the ‘Kavach’ system could't have helped to prevent the Odisha train accident. 

The expert said that prima facie the accident doesn't look like a signalling failure.

"Kavach couldn't have stopped this accident. Prima facie this does not look like a case of signalling failure. The root cause looks like the derailment of the first train. The government should investigate why the first train was derailed,” Sudhanshu Mani told news platform India Today.

“The Coromandel Express driver could not have pulled the brakes when he saw the obstruction as the train was running at high speed,” he added.

Also read: Odisha train accident LIVE: Painful incident, says PM Modi after meeting three-train crash victims

‘Kavach’ system is developed in 2022 in collaboration with three Indian vendors by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). An automatic braking system in case the loco pilot fails to act is one of the major features of the ‘Kavach’ anti-collision system.

Odisha train accident: What preliminary report said?

Notably, the observations by Sudhanshu Mani are in conflict with what the preliminary probe has revealed in the Odisha train accident. The initial probe by four senior officials of the railways has revealed that the loco pilot diverted the trains towards the loop line due to a ‘mistaken’ signal, which was immediately withdrawn.

Odisha train accident: Opposition questions government

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who has also served as a railway minister in the previous UPA government has questioned the absence of the 'Kavach' system.

"Had they put an anti-collision device here, so many people would not have died," Mamata Banerjee said in front of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

"There was no anti-collision device in the Coromandel Express. When I was the railway minister, I introduced an anti-collision device that ensured trains running on the same track stopped at a certain distance. Now, when you (Ashwini Vaishnaw) are here, I want to point out that there was no anti-collision device on this train. This incident could have been avoided with the implementation of such technology," Mamata Banerjee said.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that government has to answer the reason behind the Odisha train accident and fix the responsibility for the train mishap.

"...Irrespective of the political parties, I request them to come forward & help...I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families...I have to ask many questions to our great PM & Railways Minister. They have to answer why such things are happening and who is responsible for this...but today we have to extend relief to the suffering people..." Mallikarjun Kharge said.