Kavach 5.0 to Boost Mumbai Local Train Capacity by 30% with Enhanced Safety and Efficiency

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Express Network, Page – 05)

Analysis of the news:

About Kavach System:

• It is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.

• Kavach was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railway (IR) in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd, HBL Power Systems Ltd and Kernex Microsystems.

• It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks, that talk to each other using ultra-high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.

• Since 2016, the railways have been carrying out field tests for Kavach on passenger trains.

• Applications:

  • It has been designed to assist locomotive pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding.

  • The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance.

  • The device also continuously relays the signals ahead to the locomotive, making it useful for loco pilots in low visibility.

  • It also controls the speed of the train by an automatic application of brakes in case the loco pilot fails to do so.

  • It helps the loco pilot in running the train during inclement weather conditions such as dense fog.

How Kavach Enhances Train Safety

• Kavach functions as a critical safety mechanism by automatically applying brakes if the loco pilot fails to adhere to speed limits, especially during bad weather conditions.

• This ensures smoother and safer operations across the rail network.

Boosting Capacity and Reducing Congestion

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that by reducing the gap between two trains from 180 seconds, the railways can run 30% more trains, addressing the growing demand of Mumbai’s densely packed local rail service, which currently handles around 3,500 train services daily and serves 80 lakh commuters.

Three-Pronged Implementation Strategy

The upgradation plan for Mumbai locals will unfold in three phases:

1. Infrastructure improvement – ₹17,000 crore worth of projects are already underway.
   

2. Deployment of better technology – like Kavach 5.0.
   

3. Introduction of modern trains – to increase service frequency and commuter comfort.
   

A Step Toward Safer, Smarter Urban Mobility

• Once implemented, Kavach 5.0 is expected to transform Mumbai’s suburban rail experience by enabling frequent, safer, and more reliable services, contributing to the long-term vision of smart urban transport in India.