New Delhi: 'Raksha Kavach', the indigenously developed mechanism to detect collision- like situations for trains, has been found to be technically suitable in giving specified protection from such rail accidents.

"Raksha Kavach is a network of self-acting micro-processor based communication devices, which automatically apply brakes to trains on detection of collision like situations, thereby protecting the travelling public as well as road users at level crossing gates from collision related accidents", according to report of the standing committee on Railways, tabled in Parliament recently.

The Committee, headed by K Yerrannaidu, told that steps were being taken for the installation of the devices and it would start in 2003-04 on Katihar, Rangiya, Alipurduar, Lumding and Tinsukia divisions of North East Frontier Railway.

When asked about the effectiveness of this Anti-Collision Device (ACD) on the pilot projects, the Ministry of Railways replied that the device has been found technically suitable and functional in giving specified protection to trains, though the reliability of the system required to be improved.

Work will be taken up on all the five divisions of North East Frontier Railway simultaneously, the Railway Ministry said, adding "our survey team can normally complete ACD survey on about 10 route kms per day."

PTI