What is Kavach, India’s automatic train protection system which is back in focus after Odisha train crash

The railways has said that Kavach was not available on the route where the accident occurred on June 2 evening.

• India Weekly Staff
• 03 June, 2023

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By: India Weekly Staff

The multi-train accident in Balasore in the eastern Indian state of Odisha , which killed nearly 300 people and injured almost 1,000, has brought the railways’ automatic train protection system “Kavach” back into focus.

The railways has said that “Kavach” (shield) was not available on the route where the accident occurred on Friday (2) evening.

What is Kavach?

The Indian Railways has developed its own automatic train protection system called “Kavach” for enhancing safety of running trains. Kavach has been developed indigenously by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in association with three Indian vendors.

People voluntarily donate blood for injured in Balasore hospital after deadly train crash in Odisha

Only 1465 KM (2%) of approx. 68000 KM of Indian Railways have TCAS protection.

TCAS was started in development in 2011-12. The name was later changed to 'Kavach' for reasons you know why. Still 3 trains should not be colliding in 2023 with or without Kavach. pic.twitter.com/Zqna7IZpp6

— କଟକ ଗୁପ୍ ଚୁପ୍ (@cuttackgupchup) June 3, 2023

Kavach will not only aid loco pilot to avoid signal passing at danger and over-speeding but also help in train running during inclement weather such as dense fog.

Thus, Kavach will enhance safety and efficiency of train operations.

Many have been asking this question. The Railways do have an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System called Kavach, developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Apparently it hadn’t been installed on the route in which this accident occurred.… https://t.co/XIFdjBpsFU

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 3, 2023

Salient features of Kavach

• Controls speed of a train by automatic application of brakes in case loco pilot fails to apply the brakes.
• Repeats line-side signal in cab which is very useful for higher speeds and foggy weather.
• Works on principle of continuous update of movement authority.
• Auto whistling at level-crossing gates.
• Collision avoidance by direct loco to loco communication.
• Supports feature of SOS in case of any mishap to control train in vicinity.

  Trials of Kavach were conducted on the Lingampally-Vikarabad-Wadi and Vikarabad-Bidar sections of South Central Railway, covering a distance of 250 kilometres.

  Following successful trials, three vendors were approved for further developmental orders on the Indian Railways network. The total expenditure incurred on the development of Kavach stands at Rs 16.88 crore.

  The roll-out of Kavach is planned on the New Delhi-Howrah and New Delhi-Mumbai sections, with a target completion date of March 2024. Further expansion will be based on the experience gained from the initial implementation, officials said.

(PTI)