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Kavach rail safety system passes trial, set for nationwide rollout by 2030

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called Kavach the 'future of rail safety,' with plans to install it in 10,000 locomotives and along 9,000 km of tracks in the first phase

Indian Railways cancelled more than 160 trains on Monday, August 29.

3 min read Last Updated : Sep 26 2024 | 11:57 PM IST

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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a detailed review of the 'Kavach' Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on Tuesday, overseeing critical upgrades and successful trials between Sawai Madhopur and Indargarh stations in Rajasthan under the West Central Railway Zone. The trial demonstrated the system’s capability to prevent accidents in seven different emergency scenarios, solidifying its role as a game-changer in rail safety.

Vaishnaw hailed Kavach as the “future of rail safety,” outlining plans to install the system in 10,000 locomotives and along 9,000 km of railway tracks in the first phase. A nationwide deployment is targeted for December 2030.

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Kavach successfully tested in seven emergency situations:

Speed to halt: Kavach automatically stopped the train 50 metres from a red signal, without any input from the driver.

1/9 Speed to Halt:
KAVACH halted the train at a safe distance of 50m from a red signal - without driver’s intervention! pic.twitter.com/9McVU54A2o
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Permanent speed restrictions: While running at 130 kmph, Kavach reduced the speed to 120 kmph in caution zones, restoring it to 130 kmph after exiting.

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2/9 PSR (Permanent Speed Restrictions):
The train was running at 130 kmph, but KAVACH automatically reduced the speed to 120 kmph through the caution zone and restored it back to 130 kmph after exiting. pic.twitter.com/LCKqZzRDiR
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Loop line safety: The system reduced the train’s speed to a safe 30 kmph on loop lines automatically.

3/9 Loop Line:
In loop lines, KAVACH reduced speed to a safe 30 kmph automatically. pic.twitter.com/GFoLFTXlD6
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Station master alert: When flagged by the station master, Kavach halted the train immediately for safety.

4/9 Station Master Message:
When the station master flagged an issue, KAVACH stopped the train instantly for safety. pic.twitter.com/EtAqcQV1jK
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Level crossing whistling: The system automatically sounded the horn at level crossings, even when the driver did not.

Cab signalling: Kavach provided continuous cab signalling, displaying the next signal on the loco’s cab throughout the journey.

6/9 Cab Signalling:
The next signal aspect was continuously visible on the loco’s cab display throughout the journey, successfully testing the cab signalling system. pic.twitter.com/KtLJ2gabLI
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Home signal intervention: Kavach stopped the train from passing a red home signal, preventing a potential accident.

7/9 Home Signal Passing:
The driver attempted to cross a red home signal, but KAVACH prevented the train from crossing, ensuring safety and stopping it in time. pic.twitter.com/pGakQw3u7o
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 25, 2024

Kavach: A game-changer for rail safety

The Kavach system, developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), automatically applies brakes in emergency situations where the driver may fail to act. With increasing demand for improved safety measures following several high-profile rail accidents, Kavach is seen as a crucial addition to India’s railway safety infrastructure.

The Railway Ministry has invested significant time and resources into this project, which has been under development for the past eight years. The system’s deployment comes at a critical time, as Indian Railways has faced an average of 43 consequential accidents annually over the past five years, with 56 passenger fatalities per year from 2015 to 2022.

ALSO READ: Kanchanjunga Express accident: Kavach status back in focus after mishap