: In West Bengal, a freight train broke the signal and hit the Kanchenjunga Express from behind. There is an automatic signaling system installed here, which determines the distance between two trains and ensures their operation. Indian Railways is gradually shifting from absolute block system to automatic signaling system. What are its benefits, how does it work and how is there a possibility of accident despite the system being installed? Know here
According to a senior official of the Railway Ministry, two types of systems are working to determine the distance between two trains. The first is the absolute block system and the second is the automatic signaling system. Indian Railways is gradually shifting to the automatic signaling system. The absolute block system is old. However, it is still in use in many places.
What is Absolute Block System?
Under the absolute block system, the distance between trains depends on the distance between the stations. For example, when a train passes the next station, the train standing at the first station gets the signal. In this system, whether the distance between the stations is one km or several km, it does not matter. In this way, there is no train between two stations. Due to this, the gap between trains remains quite large. Only a limited number of trains operate under this system. However, there are signals in this too. There is no fixed distance under this system.
What is automatic signal system?
Under this system, there are many signals between two stations. These signals work automatically. Their distance is fixed but varies according to the need in different sections. Where the train traffic is high and there is no technical problem, signals are installed at shorter intervals and where there is any such problem, signals are installed at longer distances. For example, the number of trains in Mumbai is high, due to which trains run at a distance of up to 500 meters. Here the signals are very close. Trains run one after the other. Due to this, a large number of trains operate between two stations.
Cause of the accident
In the Kanchenjunga rail accident, the loco pilot of the goods train broke the signal and collided. When a train is ahead, the signal to slow down the train is automatically given. In such a situation, how the loco pilot ignored the signal is being investigated.
Tags: Indian Railways, Indian Railway news, train accident
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 17, 2024, 15:10 IST