East Coast Railway rolls out ‘Kavach’ collision avoidance system on key 595 km stretch

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced plans to install Kavach, an advanced train collision avoidance system, to boost safety on one of the busiest rail routes in India. The system will be implemented on the crucial stretch between Ranital (Bhadrak) in Odisha and Duvvada (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh, covering a distance of 595 km along the Howrah-Chennai main line.

"Tender has been notified for the survey, design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of Kavach equipment, as well as other associated works, with an estimated value of about Rs 280 crore," an official statement said.

A major step towards enhanced railway safety

According to an official statement, the installation of Kavach is a key initiative prioritised by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to improve safety on busy and critical railway corridors. "A detailed estimation is underway for installing Kavach in the remaining sections of ECoR. It is also focusing on modern signalling and interlocking systems to minimise human error," it said.

The system, which is indigenously developed, is designed to prevent train collisions, thereby significantly enhancing the safety of operations. "Once installed, it will offer automatic braking, speed regulation, and will help avoid human errors, especially in emergency situations. The project will include installing equipment on tracks, level crossing (LC) gates, and at railway stations along the designated section, with separate towers for the system being erected at a later phase," it said.

Kavach to be integrated into train operations

Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the Kavach system will be integrated into trains running on this high-traffic section. The system will enable real-time communication between trains, stations, and control centres, ensuring a more secure and coordinated operation. This will greatly reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall safety for passengers.

Setting new standards for railway safety

The successful implementation of Kavach on this important railway line will set a new benchmark for safety and technology in India’s rail network. By reducing the risk of signal passing at danger (SPAD) and head-on collisions, the system aims to create a safer travel experience for millions of passengers who rely on the Howrah-Chennai main line every day.

Agency