In a major boost to railway safety and modernisation, Indian Railways has sanctioned the expansion of the Kavach, an indigenous automatic train protection system, for key Northern Railway routes at a total cost of around Rs 362 crore.
Kavach is being progressively deployed across the Indian Railway network under the Make in India initiative to strengthen safety and modernise train operations.
“The sanctioned works include provision of Kavach over nearly 1,478 route kilometres covering important sections of Firozpur and Jammu divisions,” an official said.
Under the project, Kavach will be installed over 1,012 route kilometres on balance sections of Firozpur Division at an estimated cost of about Rs 241 crore.
In Jammu Division, Kavach will be provided on the Jalandhar City Junction-Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Batala Junction-Pathankot Junction and Banihal-Baramulla sections covering around 466 route kilometres at a cost of nearly Rs 121 crore.
The scope of the sanctioned works includes installation of stationary Kavach systems along with 40 metre communication towers and antennae infrastructure to enable seamless and reliable functioning of the safety system.
Kavach is India’s indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system that helps prevent collisions by automatically applying brakes in case of unsafe movement.
The technology also assists loco pilots in maintaining safe train operations through continuous communication between locomotives, signalling systems and trackside equipment.
The expansion of Kavach across these strategically important routes will significantly enhance operational safety, improve reliability and support efficient train movement.
Indian Railways is rapidly scaling up deployment of Kavach as part of its commitment towards building a safer, smarter and technologically advanced railway network under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather.