KAVACH SYSTEM - MISCELLANEOUS
News: Slowed down roll-out of Kavach
may be attributed to several reasons
What's in the news?
●
The recent accident involving the Kanchanjunga
Express and a goods train in Darjeeling highlights the critical need for the
Kavach system.
Key takeaways:
●
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.
Kavach System:
●
Kavach is an indigenously
developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by Indian Railways aimed
at enhancing safety by preventing train
collisions.
Aim:
●
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.
Components of Kavach
System:
●
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.
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.
●
Kavach has been deployed on 1,465 km of the Indian
Railways network, covering 139 locomotives.
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.
Significance:
●
It provides centralised live monitoring through the
Network Monitoring System.
●
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.