Indian Railways To Initiate Tender For 10,000 Kilometers of ‘Kavach’ Implementation

Indian Railways is issuing tenders for 10,000 kilometers of Kavach, an automatic train protection system, to mitigate accidents caused by human errors like Signal Passing at Danger and over-speeding. Currently, 6,000 kilometers of the Kavach system have been tendered, with 1,465 route kilometers and 139 locomotives, including Electric Multiple Unit rakes, deployed on South Central Railways.

What is the Kavach System?

The Kavach system is an automatic train protection system implemented by Indian Railways to enhance safety measures and prevent accidents. It utilizes advanced technology to detect and mitigate human errors such as Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and over-speeding, which are common causes of railway accidents. The system includes various components such as sensors, communication networks, and automated braking systems to ensure timely intervention and safe train operations.

Kavach Contracts at present

At present, Contracts for Kavach have been awarded for the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, which includes the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Section, and the Delhi-Howrah corridor, encompassing the Lucknow-Kanpur Section. This spans approximately 3,000 route kilometers across Eastern Railway, East Central Railway, North Central Railway, Northern Railway, West Central Railway, and Western Railway, marking a significant step in enhancing safety measures within these railway corridors.

OEMs approved for Kavach System

Presently, three Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers, HBL PowerSystems, Kernex, and Medha are approved for Kavach. Efforts are being made to develop more OEMs to enhance the capacity and scale up the implementation of Kavach. Kernex and Medha are unlisted companies while HBL PowerSystems is a listed company. The stock of the HBL Power system is up by more than 7% today and is currently trading at Rs.510.75 a piece. The stock has made a day high of Rs.532.55 a piece.

Conclusion: The implementation of the Kavach system by Indian Railways represents a pivotal stride towards enhancing safety in rail transportation. By integrating advanced technologies like sensors and automated braking systems, Kavach aims to prevent accidents caused by human errors such as Signal Passing at Danger and over-speeding. This proactive approach underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to prioritizing passenger and crew safety, ultimately contributing to a more secure and reliable rail network for commuters across the country.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.