Lok Sabha Question No. 2166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Implementation of Train Collision Avoidance System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2166 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAIN COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM

2166. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  recognised  the  need  for  proper implementation  of  the  Train  Collision  Avoidance  system  in locomotives to prevent accidents;
- (b) if so, the elaborate measures taken to implement the technology and status of its development in the last four years; and
- (c) the reasons for the increasing number of train accidents in the recent times?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2166 BY DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.08.2023  REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAIN COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM

- (a)  and  (b)  Regarding  installation  and  safety  features  of  Kavach,  the details are:
1. Kavach is indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order.
2. Kavach  aids  the  loco  pilot  in  train  running  within  specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot  fails  to  do  so  and  also  help  the  train  safely  run  during inclement weather.
3. The  first  field  trials  on  the  passenger  trains  were  started  in February 2016. Based  on  the experience so gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by a 3rd party (Independent Safety Assessor: ISA) three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach.
4. Subsequently Kavach was adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020.
5. Kavach has so far been deployed on 1465 Route km and 121 locomotives  (including  Electric  Multiple  Unit  rakes)  on  South Central Railway.
6. Kavach tenders have been awarded for Delhi - Mumbai & Delhi - Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route km) and work is in progress on these routes.
7. Indian Railways is preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) and detailed estimate for another 6000 RKm.

8. The amount spent so far on Kavach implementation is ₹ 351.91 Crores.  The Cost for provision of Track side including Station equipment of Kavach is approximately ₹ 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for  provision of Kavach equipment on loco is approximately ₹ 70 lakh/ loco.
9. Presently  there  are  three  Indian  OEMs  who  are  approved  for Kavach.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  develop  more  vendors  to enhance  the  capacity  and  scale  up  the  implementation  of Kavach.
3. (c)   The details of number of consequential train accidents from 200001 to 2022-23 are given below:-

<!-- image -->

As is evident from the graph above, there is a steep decline in the number of consequential train accidents from 473 in 2000-01 to 48 in 2022-23.

It  may  be  noted  that  the  average  number  of  consequential  train accidents during the period, 2004-14 was 171 per annum, while the average number of consequential train accidents during the period, 2014-23 declined to 71 per annum.

*****