Anil Kumar Lahoti, the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, recently inspected the functioning of the “Kavach” system in Hyderabad. This indigenous automatic train protection system was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), with the South Central Railways closely involved in its development and trials. The system has been extensively utilized across the rail network of the South Central Railways.
During the inspection, Lahoti observed a live demonstration of the Kavach system between the Chitgidda and Lingampalli Stations. He traveled in a Kavach-equipped locomotive and witnessed how the system automatically regulates the train’s speed, whistles as the train passes through level crossing gates, and prevents the train from passing the danger signal. He also observed how the Kavach system on the moving stock helps to avoid train collisions by automatically applying brakes without the need for human intervention.
In addition, Lahoti reviewed the functioning of the Centre of Excellence for KAVACH, which was established at the Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications (IRISET). He explored the working of all sub-systems of Kavach and how it assists in making training operations safer. The presentation covered all facets of Kavach’s operation in depth.
The Director General of IRISET, Sudhir Kumar, and his team gave a comprehensive presentation to Lahoti about the CoE. Kavach is one of the major steps Indian railways have taken to advance Prime Minister Modi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. The South Central Railways has been leading in its deployment across its rail network, with Kavach currently appointed across 1,465 rail km (Rkm). The system is used in the Nagarsol-Nanded-Dharmabad-Nizamabad-Secunderabad-Kurnool City-Dhone-Guntakal section, the Parbhani-Parli Vaijnath-Latur Road-Bidar-Vikarabad section, and the Wadi-Vikarabad-Sanatnagar section.
In conclusion, the Kavach system is a significant advancement in the field of automatic train protection systems. Its deployment across the rail network of the South Central Railways demonstrates the commitment of the Indian Railways to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. It is a proud moment for the country as it advances towards self-reliance in technological innovation.
