Govt Data Shows Unspent Funds Contributing to Absence of ‘Kavach’ on Odisha Train Accident Route

Balasore: The triple train accident in Balasore, Odisha, has raised questions about the absence of the Kavach anti-collision system on the route. Reports in the media reveal that no funds have been spent on the system in the South Eastern Railways (SER) over the past three years.

In SER’s budget records, Rs 468.9 crore was sanctioned for Kavach on a low-density railway network, but no expenses were incurred until March 2022. A similar situation was observed in another sector of the same zone, where Rs 312 crore was sanctioned for a train collision avoidance system, but no expenses were reported.

The Balasore train accident was caused by an apparent glitch in the electronic interlocking system, despite serious flaws being previously flagged. Budget documents show that funds allocated for safety measures in high-density network routes remain unused due to the absence of tender openings in the region.

The Kavach system, which was tested by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is a priority project of the Railway Board to enhance train safety. However, its implementation is not uniform, with higher priority given to high-density routes and major sections like New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah due to the higher risk of accidents.

“Highly Used Networks” like those in the SER zone are considered a second priority. The Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) has approved three companies to provide Kavach equipment in India, with two more firms under consideration.