Kavach

Laxmaiah sir classes

Kavach is a cab signalling train control system with anti-
collision features. Simply put, it plays the role of a
watchdog over the existing signalling system. It was
developed over a period of 10 years, starting in 2012, by
the Indian Railways Research Designs and Standards
Organisation (RDSO) lucknow.
 Kavach is designed to give out warnings to the loco pilot in
case he does not notice the ‘red signal,’ and instead of
stopping, is going to overshoot the signal. After giving
warnings on the locopilot’s display, if the pilot does not slow
down below 15 kilometres per hour, the Kavach system
automatically applies brakes to bring the train to a halt.
In the Kavach set-up, the railway stations along the route
where this tech is sanctioned to be deployed are provided
with three components.
First is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in
the tracks. RFID tech uses radio waves to identify people or
objects. It uses electromagnetic fields to automatically
identify and read information contained in a wireless
device from a distance without making physical contact or
requiring a line of sight.
Secondly, the locomotive, which is the driver’s cabin, is
provided with RFID readers, computer, and brake interface
equipment.

And finally, radio infrastructure which are towers and

modems are installed at railway stations.
The three components of Kavach on rail tracks,
locomotives and at railway stations are communicating
with each other to monitor train movements, and transmit
signals ahead to locomotives.
 Their function is not affected by visual interferences like
hilly geography or haze. There is direct loco-to-loco
communication and information regarding location and
track IDs are exchanged, in case it is noted that both trains
are on the same line. The locomotives have antennas which
communicate with towers on railway stations and display
warnings to the driver on his monitor.
Deploying Kavach costs ₹50 lakh per kilometre for the
Indian Railways. Experts say present coverage for Kavach
is only 1,500 km and at this rate, it may take many years
to ensure Kavach even on high-density routes as Railways
has a total route length of 68,000 kms.
 “Current Kavach coverage includes the 1,400 km stretch in
South Central Railway and 200 to 250 km routes from
Delhi to Mumbai and Delhi to Kolkata where it is still under
testing in patches, installed in 100 kms here and there, not
in continuous sections and not operational.
Currently the Indian Railways has allotted ₹4,000 crore
under the Signalling and Telecom budget head which includes
₹2,000 crore under the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh
(RRSK) fund which implements Kavach. “From this RRSK
head, fund allotment for Kavach may be around ₹1,500
crore for FY23-24. From this, we may be able to implement
only about 2,500 to 3,000 km of installation during this
year.