New Delhi/Kolkata: In a devastating incident along the Guwahati-Delhi route, a goods train collided with the Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express, raising concerns over railway safety protocols. The collision, which claimed the lives of five individuals and injured around 50 passengers, has underscored the absence of the Railways' crucial 'Kavach' anti-train collision system on the mishap route.

Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairperson of the Railway Board, confirmed that the 'Kavach' system, designed to automatically prevent such collisions, was not operational at the accident site near New Jalpaiguri. "It is not there right now," Sinha stated, highlighting that plans for implementing Kavach on this route are underway.

The incident, believed to result from possible "human error" on the part of the goods train's loco pilot, occurred when the train ignored signals and collided with the Kanchanjunga Express en route to Sealdah from Agartala.

"The collision has resulted in five deaths, including the loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of Kanchanjunga Express," Sinha reported, contradicting earlier local estimates which suggested a higher casualty count.

Describing the damage, Sinha noted that a guard's coach and two parcel vans were destroyed, although their positioning helped shield the passenger compartments from severe impact. "Our priority was to rescue passengers, which has now been completed," she added, emphasizing the Railway's commitment to safety.

Sinha reiterated that 'Kavach' is already operational on 1,500 km of railway tracks and is set to cover an additional 3,000 km by year-end. However, she acknowledged challenges in ramping up production to ensure swift implementation nationwide.

"The injured have been shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for treatment, with local authorities and rescue teams swiftly responding to the scene," Sinha assured, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the NDRF, Army, and local agencies.

As investigations into the incident proceed, questions on railway safety protocols and the urgency of implementing 'Kavach' remain paramount, underscoring the need for robust preventive measures to safeguard passenger lives on India's extensive rail network.

With PTI inputs