The Supreme Court commended Indian Railways for its proactive measures in accident prevention, including implementing the ‘Kavach’ system. Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan noted the steps taken by the Railways in response to a PIL and disposed of the case.
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NEW DELHI: Recently, The Supreme Court of India has commended the proactive measures taken by the Indian Railways to prevent accidents through the implementation of anti-collision systems, including the ‘Kavach’ system.
In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the implementation of an indigenously developed train protection system, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan has taken note of the steps already taken by the Indian Railways and disposed of the case.
The bench expressed satisfaction upon reviewing the status report submitted by the Attorney General of India. The report outlined various initiatives undertaken by the Indian Railways to bolster safety measures, encompassing the implementation of safety systems, enhancements in track quality, staff training and sensitization programs, reforms in maintenance practices, and the development of the technologically advanced ‘Kavach’ system.
“We have examined the status report submitted by the Attorney General for India. It appears that numerous measures aimed at installing safety systems, enhancing track quality, training and sensitizing staff, reforming maintenance practices, and developing the technologically advanced Kavach System have been commenced,”
-noted the bench in its order dated April 15th.
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The Supreme Court order also recognized and commended the mentioned actions by the Indian Railways, affirming that the PIL’s objectives have been fulfilled and the concerns sufficiently addressed by the Union of India and the Railways.
Additionally, it expressed confidence in the continued efforts of the Union of India and the Indian Railways to modernize the railway system and implement the ‘Kavach’ system, as recommended by experts.
“We have confidence that the Union of India and the Indian Railways will continue to take the necessary measures to modernize the Indian Railways and implement the Kavach system as advised by experts. With these comments, the current writ petition is concluded at this stage,”
-the order elaborated.
Previously, the Supreme Court had mandated the Attorney General of India, R Venkatramani, to furnish particulars concerning the central government’s endeavors in effectuating anti-collision systems, notably the ‘Kavach’ system.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), initiated by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, aimed to initiate a thorough inquiry into the Balasore triple train accident in Odisha. The petitioner suggested establishing an expert panel, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, to oversee the investigation.
The devastating Balasore train incident, which took place last year, entailed two passenger trains and a freight carriage, leading to the tragic loss of over 288 lives and causing injuries to more than 1,000 individuals.
The PIL emphasized the urgent necessity for clear guidelines and directives to be issued for the implementation of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System, also recognized as the ‘Kavach’ protection system, throughout the Indian Railways to ensure the safety of the public. The ‘Kavach’ system operates by automatically applying brakes to control the train’s speed in situations where the locomotive pilot fails to act.
The PIL further called for the immediate establishment of an expert commission, led by a retired judge of the Supreme Court and comprising technical members, to analyze and review the current risk and safety parameters of the railway system. The commission would then propose systematic safety modifications to strengthen the railway safety mechanism and submit its report to the court within two months.
The Balasore accident, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express, and a goods train, brought to light the vulnerabilities in the railway safety mechanisms. The accident led to the derailment and severe damage of 17 coaches, amplifying the call for comprehensive safety overhauls and the implementation of fail-safe systems like ‘Kavach’.
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The Supreme Court’s recognition of the steps taken by the Indian Railways toward implementing anti-collision systems, such as the ‘Kavach’ system, reflects the commitment to enhancing safety within the railway network. These initiatives are crucial for modernizing the Indian Railways and ensuring the well-being of passengers and railway staff.
