Taking another step towards expanding its indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Indian Railways has implemented Kavach Version 4.0 on the South Central Railway (SCR) for the first time.
The work of upgrading KAVACH from version 3.2 to version 4.0 across a 108-route-kilometer stretch of the Malkajgiri-Kamareddy section in the Hyderabad Division has been completed. Technical improvements have been incorporated into this new version based on operational experience with KAVACH 3.2; KAVACH 3.2 had been implemented across 1,465 route kilometers in the SCR.
KAVACH 4.0 offers features such as more precise train location tracking, improved signal information in large yards, station-to-station communication via Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), and direct integration with electronic interlocking systems.
This upgraded system is designed to facilitate safe and more reliable train operations and is planned for large-scale implementation across Indian Railways.
‘Kavach’, an indigenous ATP technology, assists locomotive pilots in maintaining prescribed speed limits and can automatically apply brakes when necessary. It is designed to help prevent ‘Signal Passing at Danger’ (SPAD), control train speed in challenging conditions, and reduce the risk of collisions.
Its implementation requires supporting infrastructure, including station-based Kavach units, RFID tags, telecommunication towers, an OFC network, and locomotive Kavach equipment. This system is certified for Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), which is the highest level of safety integrity.
(PIB)
