Indian Railways has approved the installation of Kavach 4.0, a significant safety upgrade, in 10,000 locomotives. The advanced system has already been commissioned on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur section, ensuring enhanced safety across the network. Deployment will occur in two phases, further strengthening the country’s railway infrastructure.
Phase-wise Deployment:
The deployment will take place in two phases. Phase I will involve installing Kavach on all locomotives within four years, while Phase II will complete full commissioning, including station and yard equipment.
Safety Milestone:
Kavach 4.0 represents a significant safety milestone, reducing train-related accidents significantly over the past decade. Indian Railways has been actively working to enhance safety measures, reducing daily accidents from 2.6 per day in 2012-14 to just 0.5 per day in recent years.
Kavach-Salient Features:
- Automatic application brakes if the loco pilot fails to do so.
- Displays line-side signal in drivers cab.
- Radio based continuous update of Movement authority.
- Auto whistling at LC gates.
- Collision avoidance by direct loco to loco communication.
- SOS in case of any mishap.
Kavach – Development Timeline:
- 2014-15: Pilot project planned for a 250 km section of South Central Railway.
- 2015-16: First field trials of passenger trains.
- 2017-18: Finalisation of Kavach specification version 3.2.
- 2018-19: Three firms approved by RDSO.
- July 2020: Kavach declared the national ATP system.
- March 2022: Kavach installed an additional 1,200 route kilometres (Total: 1,465 route kilometres installed).
- July 2024: Kavach version 4.0 specification approved and released, incorporating lessons learned from previous implementations.
Technical Overview:
Kavach 4.0 integrates advanced technology, including RFID tags, a communication backbone, and onboard equipment like the Driver Machine Interface. This technology ensures automatic braking, location tracking, and enhanced communication between stations and locomotives.
Conclusion:
With the deployment of Kavach 4.0, Indian Railways is poised to revolutionise train safety. The system’s advanced features and phased installation will ensure safe and efficient train operations, making rail travel more secure for millions of passengers across the country.
Source: SCR – Press Release | Image Credit: SCR