Lok Sabha Question No. 815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Kavach System in Trains in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## (a) :

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## KAVACH SYSTEM IN TRAINS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 815.  DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the implementation of 'Kavach' on operating trains to and from Andhra Pradesh, as there have been repeated demands for its installation;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated for the construction of Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) to the State of  Andhra  Pradesh  and  the  details  of  successful  installation  of these ROBs and RUBs in the State during the last three years; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  plans  to  fulfil  the  request  made  by Andhra  Pradesh  for  introducing  long-distance  trains  to  major cities  originating  from  Vijayawada  as  the  strategic  location  of Vijayawada makes it a crucial link in the railway network and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- 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
2. 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. Implementation  of Kavach  involves  installation of Station Kavach  at  each  and  every  station,  installation  of  RFID  tags throughout the track length and provision of Loco Kavach on each  and  every  Locomotive  running  on  Indian  Railway,  a communication  backbone,  requiring  installation of  Towers throughout the section, laying of optical Fiber throughout the section.  Presently  there  are  three  Indian  OEMs  who  are approved for Kavach.  Efforts are being made to develop more OEMs to enhance the capacity and scale up the implementation of Kavach.
6. Kavach has so far been deployed on 1465 Route km and 139 locomotives  (including  Electric  Multiple  Unit  rakes)  on  South Central  Railway,  part  of  which  around  130  Route  Km  passes through state of Andhra Pradesh.
7. Presently  Kavach  tenders  have  been  awarded  for  Delhi  Mumbai  (including  Ahmedabad-Vadodra  Section)  &  Delhi  Howrah (including Lucknow-Kanpur Section) corridors

(approximately  3000  Route  km).  The  progress  of  main  items related to Kavach is as under:

- (i)
- Laying of Optical Fibre Cable : 3040 Km
- (ii)
- (iii)
- (iv)
- Installation of Telecom Towers : 269 Nos.
- Provision of equipment at Stations : 186 Nos.
- Provision of equipment in Loco : 170 Locos
- (v) Installation of Track side equipments : 827 Route Km
8. Indian Railways has also taken up preparatory works including survey, Detailed Project Report  (DPR)  and  preparation of detailed  estimate  on  another  6000  Rkm,  Kavach  is  being provided on Indian Railway progressively.
- The  allocation  details  are  maintained  Railway  wise.  Andhra Pradesh  is  covered  by  four  Zonal  railways  viz.  East  Coast Railway,  Southern  Railway,  South  Central  Railway  and  South Western Railway.  Since  01.04.2020,  Rs.  4124  crores  have  been allocated  for  the  construction  of  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  & Road Under Bridges (RUBs) in these Railways. During the same period, 18 Nos. ROBs and 207 Nos. RUBs have been completed in
- (b) the state of Andhra Pradesh.
- (c) To  cater  to  the  needs  of  the  passengers  of  Vijayawada,  Indian Railways, since January, 2023 have introduced 4 pairs of trains including  2  pairs  of  Vande  Bharat  train  viz.  20677/20678  MGR Chennai Central-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express and 20833/20834 Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express.  Besides,  introduction  of  new  trains  is  an  ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources etc.

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