Overview:
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed concerns over the pace of deploying Kavach, the indigenously developed anti-collision system for Indian Railways. He assured that the implementation across a 3,000-km route is progressing steadily.
Key Updates:
urrent Progress: The project includes a comprehensive deployment process with various components. The radio survey and design are 98% complete, tower installation is 51% done, optical fibre cables are laid in 45% of the area, and 33% of work at railway stations is finished.
Past Deployment: Kavach's deployment in previous years covered varying distances: 250 km in 2018-19, 15 km in 2019-20, 321 km in 2020-21, 859 km in 2021-22, and an additional 20 km in 2022-23.
Costs: The cost per kilometre for Kavach deployment ranges from Rs.80 to Rs.90 lakhs.
Future Plans: Indian Railways aims to extend Kavach to regions in Assam, Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, parts of Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Significance:
Safety Enhancement: Kavach is crucial for enhancing safety on Indian Railways by preventing collisions.
Indigenous Technology: Its development represents a significant achievement in self-reliant technology for India.
Extensive Network: With a total route length of 68,000 km, the Indian Railways network presents a massive scope for Kavach deployment.
Conclusion:
The steady progress in the deployment of Kavach, despite concerns about its pace, indicates a significant move towards enhancing railway safety in India. This project, once fully implemented, will mark a major step in using indigenous technology for large-scale infrastructure improvement.
Kavach: India's Indigenous Railway Safety System:How does it work?
Overview:
"Kavach," meaning 'armor' in Hindi, is an indigenously developed Anti-Collision Device (ACD) for the Indian Railways. It's designed to enhance safety by preventing train collisions.
Key Features and Working Principle:
1. Automatic Braking: Kavach automatically applies brakes to prevent collisions if a train violates the signal or exceeds the speed limit.
2. Communication Based System: It uses radio frequency communication to continuously update train positions and control signals.
3. Signal Interlocking: The system interlocks with railway signals, ensuring that trains receive correct signal aspects.
4. GPS Integration: Kavach incorporates GPS for real-time tracking and precise location information of trains.
5. Speed Control: It monitors and controls the speed of trains, especially in caution zones.
6. Collision Warning: In case of a potential collision, Kavach warns the loco pilot and can autonomously apply brakes.
enefits:
Enhanced Safety: Significantly reduces the risk of collisions and derailments.
Operational Efficiency: Improves punctuality by managing train operations and speeds.
Cost-Effective: Being indigenously developed, Kavach is cost-effective compared to similar systems globally.
Implementation:
Phased Deployment: Implemented in phases across high-density and accident-prone zones in Indian Railways.
Integration with Existing Infrastructure: Kavach is designed to be compatible with existing railway infrastructure.
Conclusion:
Kavach represents a significant advancement in railway safety, employing modern technology to safeguard train operations. Its implementation across the vast Indian Railways network is a testament to the emphasis on safety and technological self-reliance in the Indian rail sector.
SRIRAM’s
