Mumbai: Western Railway Implements Kavach Protection System To Avoid Collisions
Mumbai, 18th December 2022: The Western Railway has decided to implement the Kavach protection system on the Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes to protect trains from crossing danger signals and avoid collisions between trains. After completing the tender process, two contracts have been awarded to the contractors. The survey of this project is in progress. The total cost is expected to be Rs 463 crore. The project is targeted to be completed by March 2024.
The armour protection system developed by the Research Design and Standard Organization (RDSO) of Railways is indigenous in that if the loco pilot is unable to control the mail-express trains as per the speed limit, the armour system activates the brake system of the train and stops the train immediately. It avoids collisions with trains coming in front or coming from behind. The cover system provides direct monitoring of the movement of railway trains, automatic whistle-blowing when passing by railway gates, emergency messages, and prevention of crossing of red signals.
Officials of the Western Railway informed that the cover system will be implemented on the Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes between Mumbai to Nagda (Delhi route) and Vadodara to Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad route). The project is expected to cost Rs 463 crore. After completing the tender process, two contracts worth Rs 218 crore 50 lakh and Rs 223 crore have been awarded to the contractors, the officials said. Survey work is also in progress between Virar – Vadodara and Vadodara – Nagda in this project. Two more tenders in this regard are in the final stage. The Kavach system is installed in railway trains, railway tracks, and signal systems. It uses high-capacity radio communication. This system is approved for road speeds up to 160 kmph.
The Kavach system was tested in March 2022 at Secunderabad in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. After the successful trial, it was decided to implement the Kavach system in Indian Railways.
“The cover system will be implemented on Mumbai – Delhi and Mumbai – Ahmedabad routes. This work will be completed by March 2024. Currently, two tenders have been awarded to contractors,” Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, said.
