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What Is The Kavach System

The Kavach system is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by Indian Railways to enhance train safety by preventing collisions. Recent accidents highlight the urgent need for its implementation, which has faced challenges such as funding, technical integration, and training delays. Despite its deployment on 1,465 km of railway network, further expansion is planned to cover an additional 10,000 km, emphasizing the importance of addressing existing obstacles for effective safety enhancement.

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31 views10 pages

What Is The Kavach System

The Kavach system is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by Indian Railways to enhance train safety by preventing collisions. Recent accidents highlight the urgent need for its implementation, which has faced challenges such as funding, technical integration, and training delays. Despite its deployment on 1,465 km of railway network, further expansion is planned to cover an additional 10,000 km, emphasizing the importance of addressing existing obstacles for effective safety enhancement.

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ma1383.1394
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© © All Rights Reserved
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What is the Kavach System?


National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System

Tagged in: CURRENT AFFAIRS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Recent Incident and Kavach
Definition
Key Features
Working
Deployment Status
Issues with Implementation
Conclusion

Recent Incident and Kavach


The recent accident involving the Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train in
Darjeeling highlights the critical need for the Kavach system.
The automatic signaling system was not operational, and manual
procedures were in place, which led to human error and the tragic
accident.
The absence of Kavach in this region underscores the urgency of
accelerating its implementation to prevent such incidents in the future.

Definition
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP)
system by Indian Railways aimed at enhancing safety by preventing train
collisions.
It is designed to ensure that trains automatically stop when they
encounter any signal irregularities or if they are on a collision course.
Designated as India’s National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System.

Key Features
1. Automatic Braking: Kavach can automatically apply brakes if the train
passes a signal at danger (red signal) or if it detects another train on the
same track.
2. Speed Regulation: It regulates the speed of the train according to the
permissible limits.
3. Collision Avoidance: The system can prevent head-on collisions between
trains by maintaining a safe distance.
4. Signal Overrun Prevention: It prevents trains from overshooting signals.
5. Emergency Communication: Kavach facilitates communication between
the train driver and the control center in case of emergencies.

Working
System Overview:
Kavach monitors train movements and issues emergency messages.
It provides centralised live monitoring through the Network Monitoring
System.
Functionality:
The system gives warnings to the locomotive pilot in case of
overspeeding or adverse weather conditions.
If the pilot does not slow down below 15 km/h upon receiving the
warnings, Kavach automatically applies the brakes to bring the train to a
halt.
Components:
Based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Comprises key components like optical fibre, towers for catching signals,
data centres at railway stations, and trackside equipment.

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Deployment Status

Current Deployment:
Kavach has been deployed on 1,465 km of the Indian Railways network,
covering 139 locomotives.
It has been implemented primarily on the South Central Railway.
Future Plans:
Contracts for another 3,000 km across various railway zones, including
Eastern, Northern, and Western Railways, have been awarded.
An additional 10,000 km of the railway network is proposed for initiation
soon.
The Indian Railways is likely to float tenders worth ₹5,000 crore for this
expansion.

Issues with Implementation


Despite its potential to significantly enhance railway safety, the
implementation of the Kavach system has faced several challenges:
Funding and Budget Constraints:
The installation of Kavach requires substantial investment. Budgetary
constraints have often delayed its widespread implementation.
As of the latest updates, the Indian Railways has allocated funds for the
installation of Kavach on high-density routes, but the pace of
implementation has been slow.
₹557 crore has been earmarked in the FY25 interim budget for Kavach
implementation.
Technical and Operational Challenges:
Integrating Kavach with the existing railway infrastructure, which varies
widely in terms of technology and age, poses significant technical
challenges.
Ensuring compatibility with different types of rolling stock and signaling
systems requires extensive testing and customization.
Manpower and Training:
Adequate training of railway staff, including drivers and signal
operators, is crucial for the effective functioning of Kavach.
There have been delays in training programs, which has impacted the
rollout of the system.
Geographical and Environmental Factors: India's diverse geographical
and climatic conditions necessitate robust and adaptable technology.
Ensuring that Kavach functions effectively across different terrains and
weather conditions is a complex task.
Administrative and Bureaucratic Hurdles: The implementation process
involves multiple stakeholders, including various departments within
Indian Railways and external contractors. Coordination and decision-
making can be slow due to bureaucratic procedures.
Pilot Projects and Phased Rollout:
Initial pilot projects have been successful, but scaling up to cover the
entire railway network is a gradual process.
The phased rollout strategy means that some regions, like the one
involved in the recent accident in Darjeeling, are yet to receive the
system.
Delays in Deployment: The incident in West Bengal highlighted the need
for wider deployment of Kavach.
Safety Records
The deployment is critical due to the high number of train collisions in
recent years, underscoring the need for improved rail safety systems.
Only three manufacturers are currently producing the anti-collision
system, contributing to delays.
Administrative and regulatory hurdles have also slowed down the
deployment process.

Conclusion
The Kavach system represents a significant advancement in railway safety
technology.
However, its full potential can only be realized through addressing the
financial, technical, and administrative challenges associated with its
implementation. The recent accident serves as a stark reminder of the
importance of expediting the deployment of such safety systems across the
entire railway network.

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