Rail Minister Showcases Kavach: A Safety System for Trains in Foggy Conditions

Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video on Saturday showing a train running at 130 km/h in thick fog, thanks to the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system called Kavach. This system, developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), automatically applies brakes in emergencies if the driver doesn’t respond in time. The Railway Ministry has been working on this project for eight years.

Dense fog outside. Kavach shows the signal right inside the cab. Pilot doesn’t have to look outside for signal. pic.twitter.com/cdQJDYNGrk

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 21, 2024

Kavach is an Indian-made safety system designed to address challenges caused by extreme weather like dense fog, heavy rain, or extreme heat. It keeps track of the train’s speed, ensures it stays within safe limits, and can take control if the driver fails to act.

This system significantly reduces the risk of accidents, especially in low-visibility conditions. It also includes a real-time signal display inside the driver’s cabin, enabling safe operation even when external signals are hard to see.

Earlier this year, Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s commitment to rolling out Kavach across the country. This push gained momentum after a tragic train collision in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in June 2024, which occurred on tracks not equipped with Kavach.

Railway Accident Data

• Over the past five years, the railways recorded an average of 43 significant accidents annually, leading to injuries or property damage.
• From 2015 to 2022, an average of 56 passengers lost their lives each year in these incidents.

The Video Demonstration

The video, posted on X, shows a train traveling through dense fog at 130 km/h. A monitor inside the cabin displays a green signal, eliminating the need for the driver to look outside. The caption read: “Dense fog outside. Kavach shows the signal right inside the cab. Pilot doesn’t have to look outside for signal.”

Kavach monitors train speeds and intervenes if the driver misses a signal or exceeds the speed limit, automatically applying brakes to prevent collisions.

Current Implementation

As of November 2024, Kavach has been installed over 1,548 route kilometers (RKm) in the South Central Railway and North Central Railway zones. Work is also underway on critical routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah, covering about 3,000 RKm combined.

The introduction of Kavach marks a major step forward in ensuring train safety and modernizing the railway system in India.