Western Railway (WR) has completed loco trials for KAVACH ( automatic train protection system) over 470 km out of a total of 789 km. Of the 90 locomotives, 60 have already been equipped with KAVACH said a statement from WR. The target for the financial year 2024-25 is to complete installation and trials over 735 km of the WR network.
On the Vadodara-Ahmedabad automatic signalling section, which spans 96 km, loco trials have been successfully completed using Version 4.0 of the KAVACH system, and further trials are underway to address any remaining issues. In addition, in the Virar-Surat-Vadodara automatic signalling section 336-km long , trials have been completed on 201 km, and work is progressing on the remaining portion.
In the 303-km non-automatic signalling Vadodara-Ratlam-Nagda section loco trials have been completed over 172 km. Finally, on the 54-km Mumbai Central-Virar suburban automatic signalling section construction of tower and laying of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) is currently in progress.
WR has conducted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey to accurately identify the locations of RFID, signals, level crossing gates, said WR. To expedite the laying of OFC, WR has adopted the method of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), which allows cables to be laid 3 meters below the surface.
This method is both faster and safer than traditional manual trenching and significantly reduces the time and labour required. Further, to enhance safety and to avoid additional relay room opening, WR is utilizing scheduled Rolling Blocks and Schedule of jumpers are made in advance. This ensures that minimal time is spent in wiring the indoor relay room.
What is KAVACH?
‘KAVACH,’ an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) technology that significantly enhances train safety and operational efficiency. Developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), KAVACH is designed to prevent train collisions, assist loco pilots in avoiding Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), and ensure continuous speed supervision. The system adheres to international standards, including CENELEC’s EN50126, 50128, 50129, and 50159 (SIL-4), and is built to accommodate speeds of up to 200 kmph.
KAVACH offers a range of crucial safety features. It ensures that trains operate within permissible speed limits and provides real-time speed supervision, helping loco pilots maintain control. The system also aids in preventing accidents by displaying signal aspects and continuous movement authority directly within the loco pilot’s cab. Most importantly, it serves as a vital safeguard against potential train collisions, thereby improving overall safety on the network.
