Context:
Indian Railways Presents Kavach: Advanced Train Protection Automatic System
Highlights:
- Kavach is a high-tech ATP system with a Hindi etymology meaning “shield” and “defense” intended to ensure full compliance with the highest bet standards in train operations.
- The Automatic Train Protection watches over train speeds, enforcing automatically restricted maximum permissible speeds.
THR and SIL
THR is a target measurement that is used for background random and systematic failures and safety integrity measurement for a system.
- A system gets assigned a SIL based on the qualitative assessment of factors such as its quality and safety management, and technical safety conditions.
- Against methods that are intended to prevent systematic failure (safeguards) and those against random failure, the yardstick for measuring effectiveness would be related to striking a kind of balance in the safety performance.
Development and Evolution of Kavach
- From February 2016, the first field trials for passenger trains were held as the starting point in the journey that Kavach would develop into.
- Stage 1: Three firms were approved for the supply of version 3.2 Kavach based on field trial feedback and an Independent Safety Assessment done by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) during 2018 and 2019.
- After rigorous field trials and satisfactory evaluation, the system was adopted by Indian Railways as the National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system in July 2020.
Kavach version 4.0 (2024)
- Released on the 16th of July, 2024, the system expanded greatly with the introduction of RDSO-approved Kavach version 4.0.
- Increased Location Accuracy:
- This enhancement ensures that train positions are determined with higher precision, which is critical for safe train movements, especially in complex railway layouts.
The milestones of Kavach Deployment and Funding Details:
- Optical Fibre Cable Laid: 4960 Km
- Telom Towers Installed: 378 Towers
- Kavach Provided at Stations: 381 Stations
- Kavach Provided in Locomotives: 482 Locomotives
- Track-Side Equipment Installed: 1948 Km
Training and Capacity Building:
- Indian Railways conducted specialized training programs at IRISET to empower technologists, operators, and engineers with the working skills of the Kavach system. More than 9,000 personnel have acquired trainings in Kavach technology.
Cost and Provisioning for Kavach:
- Utilization of Funds: Up to now: ₹1,547 crore and for FY 2024-25, it is ₹1,112.57 crore.
- The Kavach system is as good as an investment by Indian Railways for safety and future.
- Track-side equipment costing approximately Rs 50 Lakhs per kilometer.
