Kavach 5.0: Growth, Prime Details, Impact, Quick Overview - UPSC Notes

The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, declared that the Kavach 5.0 system will boost Mumbai's local services by 30%. Kavach helps the Loco Pilot in running trains within set speed limits by automatically using brakes in case the Loco Pilot fails to do so. It also allows trains to run safely during rough weather. He said that to address the needs for advancement in the Mumbai local area, better technology, better infrastructure, and better trains are needed, and Indian Railways is functioning on them.

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What is Kavach 5.0?

KAVACH is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system indigenously designed by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) in partnership with Medha Servo Drives, Kernex Microsystems and HBL Power Systems. Initially, it was known as the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). The Ministry of Railways adopted Kavach as the National ATP System in July 2020. Kavach's functioning is defined through a schematic graph. 

The development of Kavach started in 2011 as a sincere architecture strategy. In 2014, field trials were initiated. The first field trial experiments on passenger trains were accomplished in February 2016. Later, Kavach acquired the Safety Integrity Level (SIL-4) certificate in 2019. It is announced as one of the most cost-effective ATP designs worldwide. The Union budget of India for the FY 2022-23 allotted budgets for the immediate enactment of Kavach across 2,000 km of track, as well as approving its enactment along 34,000 km of track of the Golden Quadrilateral rail pathway, which is to be enforced by 2027-2028.

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To improve the experience of Mumbai's suburban train commuters, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has presented Kavach 5.0, an advanced automatic train protection system. Explicitly developed for Mumbai's local trains, this version strives to improve service frequency by 30%. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Kavach 5.0, the next-generation Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, will be enforced in the effective technological development of Mumbai's suburban rail system. This improvement aims to boost the frequency of trains by 30%, reducing the day-to-day commuters to about 80 lakhs. Kavach 5.0 improves train security during rough weather and helps loco pilots automatically use brakes if they fail to act in time, assuring smoother and more secure railway functions.

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Prime Details of Kavach 5.0

Background: The Union Minister for Railways declared the enactment of Kavach 5.0, which desired to enhance train security. The current version, Kavach 4.0, is already under deployment across Indian Railways.  Kavach System:  About: India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system was designed to control train collisions by automatically starting the braking technique if the loco pilot fails to act.  Technology: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels are set throughout the track length to permit the Kavach system to observe train positions. Optical Fibre Cable is applied along the tracks to secure quick and efficient data transmission.  Kavach 5.0 – Latest Version: Currently, Kavach 4.0 is being enforced across Indian Railways. Kavach 5.0 is being designed especially for Mumbai suburban rail. Growth is predicted to be finished by December 2025. Indian Railways:  India runs the world's fourth-largest railway network, over 65,000 km, and is expected to account for 40% of global rail action by 2050, emphasizing its importance in bearable mobility and transportation.  Infrastructure Investment: Performance in 3 steps, Infrastructure, technology, and other services. Tasks worth ₹17,000 crore are under implementation to help suburban rail modernization. Global Best Practices on Rail Safety:  The UK operates the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), ETCS, and RAIB for signal security, real-time management, and separate analyses. Japan operates Automatic Train Control (ATC), CATIS for flaw detection, and EEWS to prevent trains during earthquakes.

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Impact on Mumbai Local Train Services

The work on Kavach 5.0 is continuing with a Mumbai-specific purpose. Its outcome will be achieved by the end of December, 2025. This suggests that if the authority lowers the gap of 180 seconds between two trains by 30 percent, it can run 30 percent more trains. The more often the loco pilot runs trains, the more they can provide services. So due to Kavach 5.0, the ministry will be qualified to add 30 percent more trains. Mr. Vaishnaw said in Mumbai, addressing the media on improving a major Railways project in Maharashtra, along with the Chief Minister. Mumbai has about 3,500 train services daily, and about 80 lakh people travel. Actions are underway to provide more people travel comfortably. This will be executed in three parts. First, infrastructure will be enhanced; projects worth almost 17,000 crore will be performed & provide more assistance to ensure 80 lakh people can travel comfortably.

• Objective: Lower the time gap between two trains from 180 seconds by 30%.
• Development: Allows a 30% increase in everyday train services.
• Current day-to-day services: 3,500 & Commuters 80 lakh.
• Outcome: More increased frequency, decreased congestion, and more satisfied travel.