Lok Sabha Question No. 356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Implementation of KAVACH on Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## IMPLEMENTATION OF KAVACH ON RAILWAY TRACKS

## 356.  SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  deadline  for  the  implementation  of  the  KAVACH  system  on railway tracks;
- (b) whether there have been any delays in installation and if so, the reasons for the delay;
- (c) any changes in ticket prices anticipated after the installation of the KAVACH system;
- (d) the  details  of  special  training  programme  initiated  for  railway personnel  to  familiarize  them  with  the  new  system,  including specifics, if available, if not, the reasons for not conducting such programme; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  research  on  running hours,  rest  intervals  between  shifts  and  proper  screening  of locomotive  drivers,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the
- reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e)   A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 356 BY SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2024 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF KAVACH ON RAILWAY TRACKS

(a)  to  (e):  Kavach  is  an  indigenously  developed  Automatic  Train Protection  (ATP)  system.  Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order.

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 helps the train to run safely during inclement weather.

Implementation of Kavach involves execution of many activities, such as:

- a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station.
2. b.
3. Installation of RFID tags throughout the track length.
4. c.
5. d.
6. Installation of Telecom Towers throughout the section.
7. Laying of optical Fibre cable along the track.
8. Provision  of  Loco  Kavach  on  each  and  every  Locomotive
- e. running on Indian Railways.

Kavach  has  so  far  been  deployed  on  1465  Route  km  and  144

locomotives on South Central Railway.

Presently,  the  progress  of  main  items  related  to  Kavach  on  DelhiMumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route km) is as under:

- (i)
- (ii)
- Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 4275 Km
- Installation of Telecom Towers: 364 Nos.
- (iii) Provision of equipment at Stations: 285 Nos.
- (iv) Provision of equipment in Loco: 319 Locos

- (v) Installation of Track side equipments: 1384 RKm. Indian Railways has also prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Detailed Estimate on another 6000 RKm.

On 16.07.2024, Kavach 4.0 specification has been approved by RDSO. This  version  covers  all  the  major  features  required  for  the  diverse railway  network.This  is  a  significant  milestone  in  safety  for  Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System.

Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner.

Special training programmes on Kavach are conducted at centralised training institute and also in Zonal Railways to familiarize Officers and Staff with new system.

KAVACH system is not related to ticket prices.

Railway  servants  (Hours  of  Work  &  Period  of  Rest)  Rules  2005 formulated under  the Railways  Act, 1989, lays  down  provisions relating to classification of the railway servants and also for their duty hours  and  periods  of  rest  which  are  followed  in  preparation  of  duty rosters.  Duty  hours,  numbers  of  night  duties,  facility  for  out-station rest,  number  and  hours  of  rest  at  headquarter  are  well  defined  and monitored closely.

Several steps have been taken for improvement of working condition of loco running crew and initiatives taken for improvement in safety of train operation which are as follows:

- (1) Improvement  in  locomotives  for  the  comfort  and  for  easing out  duties  of  loco  running  staff :

Considering the tough duties of loco running staff, number of steps have been initiated and executed which are as  under:

- Production  of  three  phase  locos,  having  ergonomic crew friendly    design  features  like  better  seat  and  drivers  desk  for better  comfort  of  loco  and  assistance  loco  pilot,  has    been increased in    past    10    years    i.e.  since    2014,    7,286    three phase  locos  have  been  manufactured  as  against  719 prior
- a. to 2014.
- b. All  new locos manufactured are provided with air-conditioned cabs  since  2017-18.  So  far  more  than  7,000  locos  have  been provided with air conditioners.
- c. All new locos being manufactured are provided with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) as a technological aid to  monitor  and warn      Loco    Pilots    in    case    of    loss    of    alertness    while driving.  Since  2014,  VCD  has  been  provided  in  more  than 12,000 (10,521 Electric +1,873 Diesel) locos.
- d. A    portable    GPS    based    Fog  safe    Device  (FSD)    is    being provided  to  Loco  Pilots  as  a technical aid  for  displaying and  announcing  the  name  and  distance  of      approaching signals   and    important    landmarks.    Since  2014,  21,742  nos. FSDs have been provided in IR.
- e. Retro-reflective  strip  in  sigma  shape  have  been  provided two  masts  prior to stop  signals  on  all  the  Zonal  Railways for  easy  identification of stop  signal  during  foggy  weather as  an  aid  and  for  reducing  stress  on  loco  pilots.

- Improvement  in  quality  of  rest  of  running  staff  at  Running
- (2) Rooms :

A  number  of  steps  have   been  taken in the last 10 years to improve the quality  of  rest  of  the running  staff  which are as under :

- a.
- All 558 running rooms have been air-conditioned.
- b. Running  staff  are  also  provided    with    Yoga    and  meditation room,  reading    room      with    newspaper  and  magazines  for relaxing  in  accordance  with  their  requirements.
- c.
- Provision for good quality subsidized meal in running rooms.
- d.
- e.
- Availability of RO water filters in running rooms.
- Separate room for female crew.
- f. Loco  pilots  have  to  keep  a  continuous  watch  on  track  and signals  involving  long  hours  of  standing  in  cab.  Based  on CAMTECH report,  facilities  like  foot  massager  etc.  are  made available in running rooms for giving loco pilots proper rest.
- (3) Other    technological    aids    for    improving    safety    in    train operation:
- a. Simulator based training for improving the driving skills and the reaction  time      of  Loco  Pilots  is  being  emphasized  and simulator training facility is increased significantly.
- b. Mobile Application named 'Chalak Dal' has been developed for the facilitation of crew.  The App has been modified in 2023, to enable crew  to  access  all  his  details  related  to  running duties,  sign  on  /  sign    off,    loco    trouble    shooting    directory and  other  documents required  during  train  operation  which otherwise  were  required  to  be  carried  in  hard  copy.

- (4) Other  measures  for  improving  safety  in  train  operation   :
2. Various  safety    drives    &  special    counseling    programs  are regularly  organized  for  checking  the  alertness    and    safety awareness    among    the    running    staff.  Special    safety seminars  &  meetings  are also organized for interaction with family  members  of  running  staff  for  educating    on    role    of
- a. quality  rest  in  life  of  running  staff.
- b. Special drives are launched regularly to counsel running staff
5. to boost their morale and confidence.

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