Kavach anti-collision system commissioned on over 2,000 km of Indian rail network

The Hindu
The Hindu
1h ago
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India's Kavach system is operational on 2,000 km, cutting rail accidents by 90%, backed by extensive infrastructure and personnel training.
Kavach anti-collision system commissioned on over 2,000 km of Indian rail network
A What happened
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that India has commissioned its indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system on more than 2,000 km of rail network. The rollout has involved laying 7,129 km of optical fiber cable, installing 860 telecom towers, connecting 767 stations to data centers, deploying trackside equipment along 3,413 km, and equipping 4,154 locomotives. With about 40,000 trained technicians, this complex system has contributed to a nearly 90% reduction in consequential rail accidents from 135 in 2014 to 11 recently. Additionally, station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to upgrade infrastructure with minimal service disruption, identifying 1,337 stations for development.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Safety technology effect on rail accident rates: The Kavach system's deployment correlates with a sharp reduction in rail accidents, highlighting the potential of integrated automatic train protection to improve safety on busy rail networks.

  • 2

    Infrastructure modernization challenges: India's phased approach to station redevelopment without halting train operations contrasts with international practices, reflecting unique operational constraints due to high passenger volumes.

Takeaways

The Kavach system's expansion marks a significant advancement in India's rail safety and modernization efforts, though ongoing rollout and infrastructure upgrades remain critical to sustaining these gains.

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