Data nugget of the day: KAVACH

Topic: Infrastructure and Expertise

(Relevance: Expertise-related subjects, significantly these regarding infrastructure, have grow to be more and more vital. The UPSC has requested questions on applied sciences which have laid the groundwork for vital developments in communication and different sectors. As an example, within the UPSC CSE prelims 2022, a query was requested about short-range gadgets and applied sciences.)

Why within the information?

The Commissioner of Railway Security (CRS) held railway station workers and officers on the divisional and zonal ranges accountable for the collision between the Kanchanjunga Specific and a items prepare in West Bengal this June. The CRS described the incident as an “accident-in-waiting” attributable to “lapses at a number of ranges” in managing prepare operations within the occasion of “computerized sign failures” and will have been averted. The railway security physique additionally referred to as for the implementation of the automated train-protection system—KAVACH—on high precedence.

Key Takeaways :

1. Kavach is India’s very personal superior Automated Practice Safety (ATP) system developed by the Analysis Design and Requirements Organisation in collaboration with the Indian trade to stop prepare collisions by mechanically activating the braking system of the prepare.

2. This know-how options an digital system linked with radio frequency identification programs positioned at stations, trains and tracks. If a loco pilot inadvertently skips a crimson sign, Kavach mechanically prompts and controls the prepare’s braking programs. Moreover, the system detects any trains approaching the identical tracks, taking mandatory actions to avert collisions and alerting the loco pilot.

3. Practice Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) or Kavach consists of the important thing components from already current, and tried and examined programs just like the European Practice Safety and Warning System, and the indigenous Anti Collison Machine.

4. Primary Options of KAVACH are:

(i) Permits trains to function at permissible speeds.

(ii) Assists loco pilots in stopping Sign Passing at Hazard (SPAD).

(iii) Supplies steady pace supervision.

(iv) Shows sign elements and motion authority within the loco pilot’s cab.

(v) Presents safety in opposition to potential collisions.

5. In October 2022 and December 2023, 4 contracts have been awarded for the set up of Kavach on 789 kilometers of observe and 90 locomotives, with a completion interval of 24 months. Up to now, profitable trials with locomotives have been accomplished on 405 kilometers of the whole observe. The goal for the FY 2024-25 is to cowl 735 kilometers.

6. A sum of Rs 1,112.57 crore has been allotted for the set up of the Kavach within the monetary yr of 2024-25.

BEYOND THE NUGGET: Suggestions of Debroy committee on Railway Reforms

7. Debroy committee was constituted on September 22, 2014 and submitted its last report in June 2015. The committee handled a spread of points associated to the Indian Railways from decision-making construction, accounting system, human useful resource administration & worker prices, multiplicity of various channels of entry into the IR, excessive income expenditure and low capital expenditure, monetary standing to establishing an Unbiased Regulator and many others.

8. The committee had made a complete of 40 suggestions, out of which, 19 have been totally accepted, 7 have been partially accepted and 14 suggestions have been rejected.

9. On the high of the advice was liberalisation of Indian Railways. Whereas clarifying that by the time period “liberalisation”, it doesn’t imply “privatization”, the committee stated that the entry of latest operators into railways will likely be a viable choice for encouraging progress and enhancing providers. The committee additionally stated {that a} regulatory mechanism to advertise a wholesome competitors and to guard the curiosity of all stakeholders is a vital prerequisite.

10. Whereas a number of the suggestions have been taken on board: together with the phasing out of the separate Rail Funds, the redesignation of the Chairman of Railway Board as Chief Government Officer (CEO) and a plan to accord extra powers to Common Managers (GMs) and Divisional Common Managers (DRMs) to take selections “independently”, the overarching advice on “liberalisation” of Indian Railways has not been taken on board but.

11. It was the Debroy professional panel which really helpful that the chairman of the Railway Board be re-designated as CEO to expedite determination making. It was accepted by the federal government and the primary Chairman and CEO of Railway board was appointed in September 2020 after the federal government reconstituted the board in new type.

12. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Info & Broadcasting, Electronics & Info Expertise, advised The Indian Specific that the federal government has taken the report significantly and applied a lot of the vital suggestions, particularly the empowering of officers. The federal government additionally partially acted upon the advice for decentralisation to the division degree of the mega organisation, the remedy of divisions as unbiased enterprise models and DRMs being empowered to deal with all varieties of tenders of the division.

(Sources: Kanchanjunga Specific collision was ‘accident-in-waiting’: Probe report, Debroy committee charted the Railways’ path in direction of viability & competitiveness)

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