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Kavach 4.0
Indigenously Developed Kavach 4.0 Commissioned on Mathura-Kota Section of the Delhi-Mumbai Route
Context: Indian Railways has successfully commissioned Kavach 4.0, an advanced indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on the Mathura-Kota section of the Delhi-Mumbai high-density route. All system components are manufactured indigenously, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
What is Kavach?
- Kavach is an indigenously designed ATP system aimed at preventing train accidents through real-time speed monitoring and control. Especially in cases of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), human error, and poor visibility, like fog.
- Safety Level: Designed to SIL 4 (Safety Integrity Level 4) – the highest international standard for safety systems.
- Initiated in 2015, tested extensively over 3 years. First deployed on South Central Railway (SCR) with certification granted in 2018.
- Kavach 4.0: An upgraded version for speeds up to 160 kmph was approved in May 2025. Indian Railways aims to expand Kavach 4.0 across multiple national routes within 6 years.
Complexity of Kavach: Commissioning Kavach 4.0 is akin to setting up a telecom network due to its high complexity. It includes the following interconnected systems:
- RFID Tags: Installed at every 1 km and at each signal, these tags offer precise train location data.
- Telecom Towers: Full-scale towers with optical fibre connectivity and power supply are placed across routes to maintain constant communication between trains and stations.
- Loco Kavach: Installed in locomotive cabs, this system interacts with RFID tags, controls braking in emergencies, and receives updates from station-based Kavach.
- Station Kavach: Installed at every station and block section, it communicates with Loco Kavach and integrates with the signalling system for speed and signal guidance.
- Optical Fibre Cable (OFC): High-speed data communication is enabled through fibre optics laid along the railway tracks.
- Signalling System Integration: Kavach connects to existing railway signals to enhance communication and automation.
