Big safety update for rail passengers! Indian Railways expands Kavach System on these key routes

Kavach Expansion in Northern Railway: The Indian Railways approved the expansion of the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system on key routes of the Northern Railway on Friday, May 8. The project, which is expected to cost around Rs 362 crore, can further strengthen rail safety and modernise the railways.

Kavach Expansion in Northern Railway

Under this project, the Kavach system will be installed on approximately 1,478 km of route in the Ferozepur and Jammu divisions. Along with this, armoured vehicles will also be deployed on the remaining 1,012 km route of the Ferozepur division at a cost of about Rs 241 crore.

Jammu Division to Get Enhanced Safety Coverage

In the Jammu division, armoured systems will be installed on about 466 km of the route of Jalandhar City Junction-Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Batala Junction-Pathankot Junction and Banihal-Baramulla sections. This will cost around Rs 121 crore.

Infrastructure Development Under the Project

Under this plan, permanent security systems will be installed along the railway tracks. Additionally, 40-meter-high communication towers and antenna infrastructure will be developed to ensure the security system's smooth and uninterrupted operation.

What is Kavach?

Kavach is an automatic train protection system developed indigenously in India that helps prevent train collisions by automatically applying brakes in an emergency. This technology assists loco pilots in safe train operation by maintaining continuous communication between the locomotive, signalling system and track equipment.

Indian Railways Focus on Modernisation and Safety

With the implementation of the Kavach system on these important railway routes, train operations will become safer, more reliable and smoother.

Indian Railways, in line with its commitment towards "Aatmanirbhar Bharat", is rapidly expanding the Kavach system across the country to make the railway network safe, modern and technologically sound.

Other Big Updates in the Railway Sector -

• Reservation System Upgrade Under Review

Recently, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav held a review meeting with officials at Rail Bhavan and issued instructions to ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience during the transition from the 40-year-old reservation system to the advanced system in trains, said ANI, citing the official release issued by the Railway Ministry. The shifting of trains to the upgraded Passenger Reservation System will begin in August, it added.

• Western Railway Flags Off Freight Rake to Assam

Western Railway flagged off the first "Deemed VP Rake" loaded with cumin seeds for Azara station in Assam under Rangiya Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). This marks a significant development in freight transportation from Gujarat. According to a release issued by Western Railway, the deemed VP rake consisted of 30 BCN wagons and carried 4,200 quintals of cumin seeds over a distance of about 2,477 km. The freight train carried a total of 13,800 packets of spices, weighing approximately 420,000 kilograms (420 tons). The operation generated freight revenue of over Rs 25.28 lakh for the railways.

• Central Railway Cracks Down on FT Quota Misuse

The Central Railway has intensified its drive against misuse of the Foreign Tourist (FT) quota after irregularities were detected in bookings involving Indian nationals travelling without valid supporting documents. The matter came to light on February 4 in Train No. 12296 Sanghamitra Express, where some Indian passengers were found travelling on FT quota tickets without the documents required for foreign tourists.

• PM Modi Praises New Railway Infrastructure Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Union Cabinet's approval of recent railway projects covering 19 districts across six states, calling it a symbol of India's "boosting infrastructure" and "furthering economic growth," said ANI. In an 'X' post, the he said that the projects would enhance connectivity, improve operational connectivity and give access to various tourist sites across the country.