The recent development of Indian Railways allowing multinational corporations (MNCs) to deploy the indigenous anti-collision system, Kavach, marks a significant milestone in the enhancement of railway safety in India. This move involves the collaboration of global companies like Siemens and Japan’s Kyosan in implementing the Kavach system on the Indian Railways network.
Overview of Kavach
Kavach, which translates to ‘shield’ in Hindi, is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, developed indigenously by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of Indian Railways in collaboration with the Indian industry. It’s designed to significantly enhance railway safety by automatically stopping trains when an obstruction is detected on the track, such as another train, a vehicle, or a person. The system also provides real-time display of signal aspects, movement authority, target speed, and distance in the locomotive cab.
Technological Features
Kavach utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags installed on the track and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication between trains and station equipment. The On-Board Equipment (OBE) in the locomotive continuously monitors the speed and position of the train, comparing it with movement authority and target speed. If a potential collision is detected, the OBE warns the loco pilot and applies emergency brakes if necessary. Additionally, the Station Equipment (SE) monitors the status of signals and points, generating movement authority and target speed for each train.
Implementation and Impact
- Current Deployment: Kavach covers 1465 Route kilometers (Rkm) and extends its protection to 121 locomotives, including Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, primarily within the South Central Railway network. States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have already embraced Kavach.
- Future Expansion: By FY26, the deployment of Kavach is expected to increase to 5,000 km per year. By March 2025, major corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes, covering about 3000 Rkm, are slated for Kavach implementation. Additionally, the railway ministry plans to create Detailed Project Reports for an additional 6000 Rkm.
- Budget Allocation: For the fiscal year 2023-24, a significant budget of ₹710.12 Crores has been allocated for Kavach’s implementation, highlighting the national significance of this initiative.
Benefits of Kavach
Kavach is expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations, reducing human errors and equipment failures that can lead to accidents. It allows for running more high-speed and high-density trains, increasing passenger and freight capacity and revenue. Kavach also exemplifies the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, being an indigenous technology developed with the participation of eight domestic firms. It is compatible with existing signalling systems and interoperable with the European Train Control System (ETCS).
Historical Context and Trials
Kavach was unveiled on March 5, 2021, with live demonstrations proving its effectiveness. Since 2013, the system has undergone trials over a 250 km section in the Secunderabad division. These trials have tested basic functionality and interoperability with equipment from different vendors. The railway ministry announced the implementation of Kavach on 1650 Rkm of the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal routes, accounting for a significant portion of India’s total freight and passenger traffic.
In conclusion, the deployment of Kavach by Indian Railways, with the involvement of MNCs, marks a transformative step in ensuring railway safety. This development not only enhances operational efficiency and safety but also positions India as a leader in indigenous railway technology.