After much deliberations, Railways have decided to introduce anti-collision device (ACD) across the rail network in the country to prevent train mishaps.

The pan-India initiative will cost over Rs 2,000 crores and likely to be introduced in Southern Railway in the first phase in September, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The device first developed by Konkan Railway, will alert the loco pilots during emergency situation when two trains come close to each other and apply automatic brakes.

The official, however, said the device will be introduced on a trial basis on revised specifications after the experience gained from the previous trials.

The device will be guided by the GPS satellite system.

While one device will be fitted in the locomotive, the other will be fitted in each station along the route.

The development comes in the backdrop of repeated train accidents and the criticism faced by railways in delaying implementation of the project.

The project has gone through extensive trials as the Railways did not want to leave any chance given the high cost involved in implementing it, the official said.

Railways have also decided to introduce vigilance control device in every locomotive in the coming months, which will keep the driver on constant alert.