Kavach: Enhancing Railway Safety in India
The Indian Railways is making significant strides in improving safety with the implementation of Kavach, an indigenously developed anti-collision system. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the concerns regarding the pace of deployment and reassured that progress is steady across a designated 3,000-km route.
Current Progress of Kavach Deployment
The deployment process for Kavach is multifaceted and includes several critical components. As of now:
- The radio survey and design are 98% complete.
- Tower installation is 51% accomplished.
- Optical fibre cables have been laid in 45% of the designated area.
- 33% of the work at railway stations has been finalized.
Historical Context of Deployment
Over the years, the deployment of Kavach has progressed as follows:
- 250 km in 2018-19
- 15 km in 2019-20
- 321 km in 2020-21
- 859 km in 2021-22
- 20 km in 2022-23
Financial Aspects
The cost of deploying Kavach ranges from Rs. 80 to Rs. 90 lakhs per kilometer. This investment is crucial for enhancing safety standards across the railway network.
Future Expansion Plans
Indian Railways intends to extend the reach of Kavach to various regions including Assam, Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, parts of Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Significance of Kavach
The implementation of Kavach holds paramount importance for Indian Railways:
- Safety Enhancement: It plays a critical role in preventing train collisions.
- Indigenous Technology: The system showcases India's achievements in self-reliant technological development.
- Extensive Network: With a total route length of 68,000 km, there is substantial scope for Kavach deployment.
Conclusion
The steady progress of Kavach reflects a significant commitment to railway safety in India. This project promises to enhance safety measures across the railway network and demonstrates the potential of indigenous technology in large-scale infrastructure improvements.
Understanding Kavach: How Does It Work?
"Kavach," which translates to 'armor' in Hindi, is an advanced Anti-Collision Device (ACD) specifically engineered for Indian Railways. Its primary aim is to bolster safety by preventing train collisions.
Key Features and Working Principle
- Automatic Braking: Activates brakes autonomously to prevent collisions when a train surpasses the signal or speed limit.
- Communication-Based System: Utilizes radio frequency to constantly update train positions and control signals.
- Signal Interlocking: Interlocks with signals to ensure accurate signal aspects for trains.
- GPS Integration: Incorporates GPS for real-time tracking and precise train location data.
- Speed Control: Monitors and regulates train speed, especially in caution zones.
- Collision Warning: Issues warnings to the loco pilot and can autonomously engage brakes in case of a potential collision.
Benefits of Implementing Kavach
- Enhanced Safety: Drastically lowers the risk of collisions and derailments.
- Operational Efficiency: Boosts punctuality by managing train operations and speeds.
- Cost-Effective: Being developed locally, Kavach is more economical compared to similar systems globally.
Phased Implementation
The deployment of Kavach is conducted in phases across high-density and accident-prone zones,
Stay Updated with Latest Current Affairs
Get daily current affairs delivered to your inbox. Never miss
important updates for your UPSC preparation!
Kutos : AI Assistant!
