Kavach System: Meaning, Launch Date, Cost, Implementation

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jun 7, 2023, 10:56

Kavach System is an indigenous automatic train protection (ATP) system developed to ensure safety on Indian railways. The Odisha train collision on June 2 prompted Indian Railways to take swift action and introduce anti-collision technology for trains. Kavach System is the world’s most economical ATP development, costing about 50 lakh rupees per kilometer.

The implementation of this project and its indigenous development comes under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Learn more about the Kavach System, its launch date, cost, implementation, and significance here.

What is Kavach System?

Kavach System is an Indian Railways initiative that comprises a technology that detects possible collisions between trains and prevents them effortlessly. This project started in 2012 as Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). In 2022, the development and testing of the Kavach System was finally complete.

Project

Kavach System

Developed for

Indian Railways

Launch Date

2024 (Expected to be Completed)

Company

Research Design and Standards Organisation

Cost

50 lakh rupees per kilometer

Route

Entire Indian Railways

Objective

To reduce the possibility of train collisions on Indian Railways through an automatic train protection system

How does Kavach System Work?

The Railway Kavach System is a type of automatic train protection system that uses RFID tags to detect and stop a possible collision on railway tracks. Check out the complete explanation of how this anti-train-collision system works on Indian Railways below.

  • In the Kavach System, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are installed in locomotives and railway tracks at every 1 km distance.
  • These tags enable the swift detection of any possible collision by sending an alert in case a locomotive pilot jumps a Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD).
  • The Railway Kavach System can take control of the locomotive to apply brakes to prevent a collision.

Kavach System Implementation

Currently, the Kavach Technology is implemented at 135 railway stations and in 77 locomotives in the South Central Railway (SCR) Zone. The other zones of the Indian Railways can expect Kavach System implementation soon as the Union Budget (FY 2022-23) allocated funds for a speedy implementation.

The Railway Kavach System is also approved on the 34,000 km route of the Golden Quadrilateral rail track. The entire project is expected to be deployed across the country by 2024.

Kavach System Trial

  • On March 4, 2022, a live trial of the Kavach system was conducted in the Secunderabad Railway Division.
  • Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Railway minister, and Vinay Kumar Tripathi, the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board participated in the demonstration of the Kavach railway system.
  • Moving from opposite directions on the same railway tracks, the two trains successfully avoided collision because of the Kavach system.

Kavach System Implementation after Odisha Train Accident

  • After the unfortunate rail collision in Odisha on June 2, 2023, Indian Railways introduced the Kavach System to avoid any such incidents in the future.
  • The Railways also promised a speedy implementation of this project across railway lines in the country.
  • Some of the railway zones in which the Railway Kavach System will be implemented next include Howrah–Delhi main line, and the Delhi-Mumbai main line.

Significance of Railway Kavach System

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems such as the Kavach System are significant because they can prevent railway accidents. Railway accidents mostly occur due to signal jumping. A collision between trains can cause loss and harm to human lives.

  • By predicting possible train collisions, Kavach Technology can save the loss of life, as well as infrastructure.
  • This system monitors the movement of locomotives continuously and sends an immediate signal upon detecting a possible collision.
  • Moreover, the Kavach Railways System is also helpful in foggy weather conditions.

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FAQs on Kavach System

Q1. What is Kavach System?

Kavach System is an indigenously-developed technology that uses radio frequency identification to detect and stop a possible train collision. Kavach System is developed by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) and is the cheapest automatic train protection system in the world.

Q2. How does Kavach System work?

The Kavach System works by sending an alert in case a locomotive pilot jumps a Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD). The Kavach Technology uses RFID tags, which are installed in locomotives and railway tracks at every 1 km distance to monitor the movement of locomotives.

Q3. Where is the Kavach System installed?

Kavach System is installed on Indian Railways, inside trains, and on railway tracks. Currently, the Kavach System is deployed at 135 railway stations and in 77 locomotives in the South Central Railway (SCR) Zone. It will be deployed across the entire Indian Railways by 2024.

Q4. Who developed Kavach System?

The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) developed the Kavach System under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The RDSO initiated the Kavach Project in 2012. In 2022, this indigenous project was finally completed.

Q5. What is the cost of the Kavach System?

The Kavach System costs 50 lakh rupees per kilometer and is the cheapest automatic train protection (ATP) system in the world. In other parts of the world, an ATP system costs around 2 crore rupees per kilometer. India developed the Kavach System indigenously at a significantly lower cost.

Q6. Why was the Kavach System launched?

The Kavach System was launched to ensure better safety on Indian Railways. Railway collisions can cause great harm to human lives. The Research Design and Standards Organisation independently launched Kavach to eliminate the threat of railway collisions.

Q7. How did 3 trains collide in India?

The 3 trains collided in Odisha, India on June 2, 2023, due to an electronic signaling error. The accident resulted in the loss of more than 300 innocent lives. To ensure that such accidents do not happen again, the government introduced the Kavach System on Indian Railways.