Indian Railways Kavach System: Launch, Benefits, Drawbacks & Future Vision

The pursuit of progress has been a continuous thread in the vast tapestry of Indian Railways, a network that skillfully weaves together the varied fabric of the country. Every era since the first steam engine ride in the 1853 to the high-speed trains, such as the new Vande Bharat train, speeding through contemporary corridors has seen an unwavering dedication to improving efficiency and safety. As we stand at the nexus of tradition and technology today, Kavach is entering a new phase of development. Indian Railways, the nation’s lifeline, has developed over time, tying together far-flung regions and promoting economic expansion.

But progress is not without its difficulties, and safety is still the top priority. In reaction to this requirement, Kavach System shows itself as an example of creativity and a crucial step in strengthening the railway ecosystem. In addition to demonstrating technological prowess, this Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system represents a shared dedication to making sure every journey is not only efficient but, more importantly, safe. Let’s explore the world of Kavach and learn about its origins, features, and potential revolutionary effects on Indian Railways’ safety environment.

Kavach Origination Point

Kavach System is an automated train protection (ATP) system developed by The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) for the Indian Railways. It consists of a collection of electrical and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) gadgets put in locomotives, the signalling system, and the tracks. These gadgets help quickly identify potential collisions by delivering an alarm if a locomotive pilot jumps a Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD). It can take control of the locomotive and apply brakes to avoid a collision. They communicate through ultra-high radio frequencies to operate train brakes and notify drivers, all depending on the logic built into them. Kavach’s development began in 2012 as the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and was concluded in 2022. Its installation is a part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat program, and by 2022–2023, there are plans to extend the network to 2,000 kilometres. In addition to increasing capacity and safety, this development will open up the potential for the export of domestic technology to other railways throughout the world.

Also Read: Top 8 Fastest And High Speed Trains In India

In 2012, Kavach’s journey started as the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). And now as we step out of 2023, this ground-breaking system has developed into a reliable train shield that satisfies safety integrity level 4 (SIL-4) operational requirements. Operating at roughly 50 lakh rupees per kilometre, Kavach has been hailed as the world’s most cost-effective ATP system – a far cry from the 20 million rupees needed for comparable systems elsewhere. The system is revolutionary and has the potential to revamp the security systems of Indian Railways.

Little Backstory: Odisha Railway Tragedy

Following a devastating train accident in the Odisha district of Balasore, attention on Kavach grew. A tragic number of people were killed when three trains collided in a series of incidents. The hazardous Odisha train accident, which left 1000 people injured and claimed 275 lives, spurred discussion about whether Kavach could have prevented this catastrophe. The government’s dedication to railway safety was questioned in the wake of this revelation, which sparked criticism. In a statement given by Indian Railways spokesperson Amitabh Sharma it was also confirmed that the Odisha route did not have the Kavach system operational which eventually led to this fatal accident. The government had announced the trial rollout of Kavach, which would initially cover 2,000 kilometres, in an effort to prevent such accidents. But only 1,465 kilometres of the South Central Railway had Kavach implemented as of January 2023.

Railway officials acknowledged that Kavach was not present on the Odisha route, but argued that the tragedy might not have been avoided even if the system had been used. The Yeshwanthpur-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train were all involved in the accident. The accident was caused by the interlocking mechanism failing and the unexpected obstruction, according to Jaya Varma Sinha, a member of the Railway Board’s operation and business development department. Notwithstanding these arguments, the mishap emphasises how urgently improved railway safety protocols are needed. The entire safety strategy was called into question when the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report showed that Indian Railways had not used the money designated for safety-related expenses.

6 Strong Features Of Kavach

Kavach’s integration is like giving the railway behemoth new armour in the world of Indian Railways, where the nation’s journey is told through the rhythmic sounds of rolling wheels and whistles. More than just a system, Kavach, which means “Armour” in English, serves as a barrier of defence for the large commuter community using the vast rail network. These are the key features making Kavach what it is:
Guard Against Rail Accidents: Assuming the role of a watchful guardian, Kavach plays a crucial part in impeding the actions of Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding, two well-known causes of rail accidents. It functions similarly to a conductor directing a large-scale event, deftly striking a balance between caution and speed.

1. Weather Resilience: Kavach remains strong even in inclement weather. It reveals a practically magical fix in the entrancing dance of dense fog: an inside-cabin display of line-side signals that pierce the fog like beacons, offering a lifeline for navigation for LC gates.
2. Automated Brake Application: One of Kavach’s most impressive tricks is its superhero-like automated brake application. Kavach is the unsung hero that the locomotive pilot turns to when faced with unforeseen difficulties. He acts quickly to apply the brakes and prevent possible disasters in those crucial situations where split seconds can mean the difference between chaos and safety.
3. Primary Weapon: The automatic brake application system, which ensures better train speed control and a lower risk of accidents, is the foundation of Kavach’s arsenal. This feature is vital to Kavach’s safety procedures, especially in situations where the locomotive pilot is slow to react.
4. Shown Effectiveness: The South Central Railway’s 250-kilometre Vikarabad–Bidar and Lingampally–Vikarabad–Wadi sections were used in experiments to demonstrate the efficacy of Kavach. Empirical cases validate the system’s ability to guarantee rail travel safety.
5. Diverse Features: Kavach offers more features than just speed control, like automatic whistling at level crossings, real-time movement authority updates, direct loco-to-loco communication to prevent collisions, and efficient train management in an emergency by utilising an SOS feature.
6. Expansion Plans: The crucial New Delhi–Howrah and New Delhi–Mumbai sections are where the Indian government plans to deploy Kavach. This expansion, which is expected to cost ₹16.88 crores and be completed in March 2024, highlights the dedication to strengthening the safety infrastructure of the railway network.

Kavach Operations

Three essential components of the state-of-the-art safety system Kavach work together to ensure the effectiveness and safety of railway operations. These components consist of a strong radio network, locomotives on board, and trackside infrastructure. Radio-frequency identification. (RFID)12345 tags are positioned carefully in between the running rails at the trackside. These RFID tags have several uses, including transmitting important data regarding approaching level crossings and signals. As a preventative measure, this component improves the system’s capacity to recognise and address possible safety risks. A live demonstration in March 2022 was a turning point in Kavach’s journey. As separate locomotives approached one another, Indian Railways Chairman and CEO Vinay Kumar Tripathi and Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took part in the demonstration. The effectiveness of the system was demonstrated when Kavach quickly determined how close they were and automatically applied the brakes on both trains to prevent a collision

On the Indian Railways, Kavach has been adopted in stages. The first phase of Kavach deployment concentrated on the South Central Railway zone. In this zone, Kavach was deployed over 1,445 km of track, including sections between Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Tirupati. Kavach’s second phase of deployment is now underway. The Western Railway zone, Northern Railway zone, and Eastern Railway zone are the emphasis of this phase. Kavach is used on 1,200 km of track in the Western Railway zone, 650 kilometers in the Northern Railway zone, and 500 kilometers in the Eastern Railway zone.

Potential Benefits Of Kavach System

Kavach in Indian Railways prevents train accidents, protecting all the passengers and enhancing the railway network. Installing it brings several benefits that contribute to the railway network of the nation. Some key benefits of implementing Kavach are given in this article.

• Prevention of Train Collisions: Ultimately, the introduction of Kavach intends to reduce train accidents and deaths. Kavach can aid in train collision avoidance by automatically applying the brakes when a train approaches a signal at an excessively high speed. This may assist to minimize the number of accidents on Indian Railways, which now average around 15 per day.
• Real-time Surveillance: As part of the Kavach installation, high-resolution surveillance cameras are strategically deployed across the railway network. These cameras enable real-time surveillance of train operations, platforms, and other places, allowing authorities to discover and respond to security risks or unauthorized activity as soon as possible.
• Passenger’s Confidence:
  The existence of Kavach in Indian Railways instills trust in passengers. Passengers may travel with peace of mind knowing that enhanced safety measures are in place, knowing that the railway authorities prioritize their safety.
• Improved Railway Efficiency: By preventing trains from overshooting signals, Kavach can also assist to enhance train operations. This can assist in decreasing delays and enhance overall railway network performance.

Challenges With Implementing Kavach

Nonetheless, the implementation of Kavach presents various obstacles that the Indian Railways must overcome with time to guarantee a smooth integration.

• Cost and funding: Implementing Kavach on a big scale across India’s massive railway network requires a significant financial commitment. The costs of purchasing and installing appropriate equipment, conducting training programs, and continuous maintenance can be substantial obstacles for railway authorities. It is critical to secure appropriate funds for the deployment and maintenance of Kavach.
• Infrastructure: The Indian Railways also needs to upgrade its infrastructure to support Kavach. This includes installing trackside sensors and other equipment.
• Compatibility: Kavach is not compatible with all train types. Some trains will need to be upgraded to be compatible with Kavach.
• Security: The Indian Railways must guarantee that Kavach is not vulnerable to hacking or other destructive assaults.
• Acceptance: There is some public skepticism about the effectiveness of Kavach in Indian Railways. The Indian Railways will need to educate the public about the benefits of Kavach to gain public acceptance.

Also Read: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Future Of Kavach & Indian Railways

The Kavach installation program is reportedly suppose to progress 1,500-2500 every year and by 2025 the bandwidth will increase upto 5,000 km.Government is also planning to upgrade ‘Kavach Automatic Potential System’ upto 160 kmph prior to implementing it under Howrah–Delhi main line and the New Delhi–Mumbai 3000 km length main line. Also, plans are underway to extend its reach to 4,000–5,000 kilometres in FY24. The railway safety narrative gains prominence as the government accelerates the implementation of Kavach and has allocated funds for it. The tragic Odisha train accident serves as a warning about the dangers of not investing enough in safety precautions. With Kavach emerging as a ray of hope for safer train travel, the rail network is ready to take a revolutionary step forward and move towards a future in which accidents become the exception rather than the terrible norm.

Final Words

Unquestionably, Kavach represents a ray of hope for Indian railway safety, as it demonstrates a dedication to both passenger security and the avoidance of disastrous mishaps. Although the Odisha tragedy raises concerns, the wider adoption of Kavach represents a significant change towards safer rail transportation. Indian Railways marches boldly into a future where accidents become fewer and farther between, guaranteeing that every journey is not only efficient but, above all, safe, as the system develops, fusing technology and tradition. By 2025, the government hopes to have deployed Kavach on 10,000 km of rail.