Big tender for train crash prevention system soon
NEW DELHI : Indian Railways is preparing to purchase Kavach automatic train protection (ATP) systems at a cost of ₹5,000 crore following the triple-train crash in Odisha’s Balasore that killed nearly 300 people, two people aware of the matter said. Two tenders for Kavach covering a total of 12,000 kilometres (km) will be issued within a year against a tender for 3,000 km that was issued in 2021, the people said on condition of anonymity. Kavach prevents head-on crashes even if the train pilot fails to see and act on signals.
If the driver fails to control the train in accordance with the speed restrictions, it automatically applies brakes. The state-of-the-art electronic system was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian industry and tested by South Central Railway. “A DPR (detailed project report) for commissioning Kavach on 6,000 km of Railway network is proposed to be initiated soon so that tenders for the same could be invited by January next year.
Soon after this, DPR for another 6,000 km will be commissioned and implemented. The plan is that tenders for 12,000 km for Kavach are issued next year in phases," one of the two people cited earlier said. A railway ministry statement said that though efforts are being made to fast-track the installation of Kavach with quicker planning and execution, it is too early to give any timeline for 100% of its installation.
“Preparation of DPR for 6,000 km is under process. It’s too early to comment upon tendering. Kavach shall be installed progressively in the IR system," said the ministry’s statement based on questions sent by Mint.
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