Indian Railways: Kavach efficiency trial conducted at 140 kmph on Mathura-Palwal section

The Indian Railways conducted a trial by running an engine fitted with Kavach at 140 kmph for the first time between Mathura and Palwal on December 30.

Earlier, such trials were done at a speed of 130 kmph at different places before introducing the system in three sections in South Central Railway.

The Kavach system can apply brakes automatically in case of any emergency when the driver fails to act.

According to railway sources, more trials might be needed to work on checking the efficiency of the system. 

The Agra Division under the North Central Railway zone made a special arrangement for the trial on the request of RDSO, which has developed Kavach for its implementation across rail networks in the country.

According to RDSO officials, across all rail networks in India, a 125-km stretch in three parts between Delhi and Agra is the only place where trains can run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

The special track was laid here for India's first semi-high speed train, Gatimaan Express, which was launched on this route in April 2016. It is India's first train which runs at 160 kmph.

According to the railways, Kavach system is already functional in three sections on 1,465 route km and 139 locomotives in South Central Railway. 

However, the trial cannot be done on that route because of speed restrictions.

Kavach not only helps loco pilots to avoid signal passing at danger and over-speeding but also helps in train running during inclement weather such as dense fog, leading to enhanced safety and efficiency of train operations.

Some features of the system are controlling speed of trains by automatic application of brakes in case the loco pilot fails to apply the brakes and repeating line-side signals in the cab which is very useful for higher speeds.