South Western Railway has awarded Ircon International Limited a significant contract worth over Rs. 253 crore for implementing Kavach, India’s indigenous Train Collision Avoidance System, across 778 RKM in Bengaluru and Mysuru Divisions. The project, to be executed within 18 months, aims to significantly accelerate train safety and automation.
Introduction:
Taking a crucial leap towards improved railway safety and modernization, South Western Railway has awarded a key contract to Ircon International Limited for the deployment of Kavach—India’s advanced Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). The scope of the project covers 778 Route Kilometres (RKM) across the Bengaluru and Mysuru Divisions.
Contract Details:
- Scope– Survey, design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of Kavach and associated works
- Coverage– 778 RKM across Bengaluru and Mysuru Divisions
- Contract Value– Rs. 253,56,11,803.41
- Completion Timeline– 18 months from the date of Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
Significance of the Project:
This project forms a crucial part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to increase safety and reliability across its network. The Bengaluru and Mysuru divisions are high-traffic corridors, and the deployment of Kavach here is expected to-
- Prevent train collisions by enforcing automatic braking in case of signal violations
- Provide real-time train monitoring and location tracking
- Accelerated speed regulation through continuous monitoring
- Enhancement in operational safety for both passenger and freight trains
This initiative is closely aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, highlighting indigenous technology in critical railway infrastructure.
Understanding Kavach:
Kavach, developed by Indian Railways, is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system engineered to reduce human error and maximize safety in train operations. Key features include-
- Automatic Braking: Initiates braking to prevent collisions and overshooting of signals
- Signal Overrun Prevention: Prevents trains from crossing red signals
- Speed Regulation: Ensures compliance with permissible speed limits
- Weather Resilience: Operates effectively in adverse weather conditions like fog and rain
Kavach has already been successfully deployed across select routes and has received strong safety endorsements from trial operations.
Strategic Importance:
The selection of Ircon International, a government PSU with extensive experience in executing railway infrastructure projects, ensures reliability and expertise in the Kavach rollout. This deployment further portrays Indian Railways as a global leader in railway safety innovation.
The step also supports the larger vision under the National Rail Plan, which prioritizes safety, capacity augmentation, and technology-led growth for the sector.
Conclusion:
With this project, South Western Railway takes a decisive step toward advanced rail safety. The Kavach implementation in Bengaluru and Mysuru divisions will serve as a model for future deployments, reinforcing Indian Railways’ commitment to advanced, indigenous technologies that safeguard millions of passengers and ensure efficient train operations.
Source: IRCON – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Southern Railway
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