Indigenous Kavach Train Safety System Successfully Tested on DDU Grand Chord Route
The Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone on Friday by making operational the indigenously developed train safety device known as 'Kavach' on a crucial 93-kilometer stretch between Sarmatanr and Manpur stations along the DDU Grand Chord route. This development marks a substantial step forward in enhancing railway safety through domestic technological innovation.
Successful Trial Run Demonstrates System Reliability
According to Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, a comprehensive trial run was conducted successfully using the Sasaram Intercity passenger train (13305), which had been specially equipped with the Kavach system. The trial commenced at 7:42 AM from Sarmatanr station and concluded safely at Manpur station at 9:35 AM, covering the designated route without incident.
During this critical testing phase, railway authorities rigorously evaluated multiple safety features of the Kavach system. The tests specifically focused on automatic braking mechanisms and head-on collision prevention capabilities, both of which performed exactly as designed and intended. Officials confirmed that the head-on collision avoidance test was executed successfully, providing concrete evidence of the system's reliability under actual operating conditions.
Comprehensive Rollout Plan Across Indian Railways Network
The railways have formulated an ambitious plan to install the Kavach system across 4,238 kilometers of railway routes throughout the national network. Within this extensive deployment strategy, approximately 417 kilometers fall under the jurisdiction of the East Central Railway zone. This phased implementation represents a major investment in railway infrastructure safety.
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system specifically engineered to prevent accidents by automatically applying brakes when trains approach signal violations or potential collision scenarios. The system represents a significant technological advancement in India's railway safety infrastructure.
Enhanced Safety for Busy Rail Corridors
Railway sources indicate that the gradual implementation of Kavach will substantially improve passenger safety and operational efficiency, particularly on heavily trafficked rail corridors like the New Delhi-DDU-Gaya-Howrah Grand Chord route. This critical corridor passes through:
- At least eight major junction stations
- Seventy-seven regular stations
- Seventy-nine level crossing gates
- Seven intermediate block signals
The successful testing on the DDU Grand Chord route demonstrates the system's capability to handle complex railway environments with multiple operational challenges. This achievement underscores Indian Railways' commitment to leveraging homegrown technology to create safer travel experiences for millions of passengers while simultaneously improving network efficiency and reliability.
