Balasore aftermath: Railways eases execution of Kavach and safety works

After the Balasore train accident exposed serious flaws in safety systems, the ministry of railways has removed a major administrative barrier in the implementation of works in critical safety areas like Kavach, signalling, and interlocking.

These safety works would no longer require economic justification by the Railway Board for financial approval.

Kavach anti-collision system, electronic, panel, and route relay interlocking, block signalling, complete track circuiting, and technology upgradation will now be covered under the “safety exemption” to the financial rules of the Centre. This was stated in an order by the Railway Board dated June 22. Business Standard has reviewed a copy of the order.