The Supreme Court has commended Indian Railways for its efforts in implementing anti-collision systems, including the ‘Kavach’ system, to prevent accidents. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan disposed of a PIL seeking direction for the implementation of an indigenously developed train protection system after noting the steps taken by the Railways to prevent accidents.
“We have perused the status report filed by the Attorney General for India. We find that multiple steps towards the installation of safety systems, improving the quality of tracks, training and sensitization of staff, reforms in maintenance practices and development of the Kavach System, which is a highly technology-intensive system, have been initiated,” the bench stated in its order dated April 15.
The court expressed appreciation for the measures taken by Indian Railways and stated, “We appreciate the above-mentioned steps taken by the Indian Railways. That being so, we are satisfied that the initiation of these proceedings in the public interest has achieved its purpose and that the issues have been adequately addressed by the Union of India and the Railways.”
The bench also expressed confidence that Indian Railways will continue to take necessary steps for modernization and the implementation of the ‘Kavach’ system as deemed appropriate by experts.
“We have no reason to doubt that the Union of India/Indian Railways will continue to take the desired steps for the modernization of the Indian Railways and for the implementation of the Kavach system in a manner as may be found appropriate by the experts. With these observations, the instant writ petition stands disposed of at this stage,” the order further stated.
Previously, the Supreme Court had asked the Attorney General of India to inform it about the steps taken by the central government for the implementation of anti-collision systems, including ‘Kavach’.
The PIL, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, sought a probe into the Balasore triple train accident in Odisha by an expert panel headed by a retired judge of the apex court. The accident, involving two passenger trains and a goods carriage, resulted in over 288 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries last year.
The PIL also called for guidelines for the implementation of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System, known as the ‘Kavach’ protection system, in Indian Railways to ensure public safety. ‘Kavach’ controls the train’s speed by automatically applying brakes if the loco pilot fails to do so.
The preliminary report on the Balasore tragedy indicated that the accident involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express, and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district, with 17 coaches of the two passenger trains derailing and suffering severe damage.