NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Railway Board Chairperson and CEO Jaya Verma Sinha, accompanied by senior officials from North Central and Northern Railways, inspected a Kavach trial of the Vande Bharat train between Palwal and Vrindavan on 14 May. The trial, overseen by Kush Gupta, Deputy Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer, showcased the effectiveness of the Kavach system in ensuring the train stopped at red signals automatically.
Jaya Vera Sinha travelled in the eight-car Vande Bharat train, which operated at speeds of up to 160 kmph, gaining first-hand experience of the Kavach system at various operational points, including red signals, loop lines, and speed restriction zones.
The trial highlighted the Kavach system’s ability to follow speed restrictions without the loco pilot’s interference. For example, the train precisely slowed down to 30 kmph to enter the loop line near Chhata station on the Palwal-Vrindavan route. Officials highlighted that Sinha was highly impressed with Kavach’s efficiency.
Detailed Inspection
Sinha boarded the Vande Bharat at 9:15 AM from Palwal station with other senior railway officials, including the General Managers of North Central and Northern Railways, the Principal Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer of the NCR Zone, the Principal Executive Director of the Railway Board, and the Divisional Railway Manager of Agra. The train reached Sholaka station at 9:38 AM, where it successfully stopped just 9 meters before a red signal at Hodal, using the Kavach system’s automatic braking.
After reaching Vrindavan at 10:45 AM, Sinha inspected the Kavach system installed at the station. The return journey started at 11:10 AM, with the train arriving back in Palwal by 12:30 PM.
Extensive Kavach Network
All Vande Bharat trains are equipped with the Kavach system, which is designed to automatically apply brakes in emergencies. Before Sinha’s inspection, under Kush Gupta’s supervision, the Agra division conducted three successful Kavach trials at 140 kmph and 160 kmph for various trains, including mail, express, and Vande Bharat services.Â
Technological Advancements
The Agra division has established an extensive Kavach network spanning an 80-kilometre stretch from Mathura (excluding the station) to Palwal. This involves placing RFID tags on tracks, installing stationary Kavach units at stations, and setting up towers and antennas along the tracks. Developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the Kavach system ensures trains can apply brakes automatically during emergencies when drivers fail to act promptly.
High-Speed Capabilities
According to RDSO officials, the 125-km stretch between Delhi and Agra is the only section of the Indian rail network where trains can run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph. Other sections across India have a maximum speed limit of 130 kmph. This high-speed track was initially laid for India’s first semi-high-speed train, the Gatimaan Express, which was launched in April 2016.
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