23-Dec-2022: 'KAVACH' System in Trains to Prevent Accidents

Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps, including development of indigenous equipments, are being undertaken on a continuous basis to prevent train accidents. Indian Railways has indigenously developed an automatic train protection system rechristened as ‘Kavach’ (Train Collision Avoidance System), to prevent accidents due to human error resulting in Signal Passing at danger and over-speeding.

Keeping in view the complexities involved in implementation, which require all Rolling Stock, way side stations and track to be equipped with ‘Kavach’, it has been decided to implement ‘Kavach’ in a phased manner. So far, ‘Kavach’ has been deployed for 1,455 Route Kms on South Central Railway with 77 nos. of locomotives. Currently, ‘Kavach’ work is in progress on Delhi-Mumbai & Delhi –Howrah corridors (3000 route Kms).

Other benefits of ‘Kavach’ include controlling speed of trains by automatic application of brakes on approach of turnouts, repeating of signal aspects in cab, which is useful for higher speeds & foggy weathers, and auto whistling at level crossing gates.

At present ‘Kavach’ is being implemented on Indian Railways in a phased manner. Further, ‘Kavach’ does have export potential in future.

14-Dec-2022: New and improved Vande Bharat 2.0 trains with enhanced safety features, better ride index and passenger amenities have been introduced

The new and improved Vande Bharat Ver 2.0 trains, with enhanced safety features, better ride index and passenger amenities, have been introduced after detailed trials, performance and safety testing of the train and its sub-systems. The following tests were conducted by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) / Lucknow:-

1. Oscillation trials @ 115 kmph on mainline tracks and at 180kmph on Rajdhani Tracks.
2. Emergency Braking Distance Trials at 160 kmph and performance testing of Brake Systems.
3. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) / Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Pacemaker Tests.
4. Noise and vibration tests.
5. Tests on Propulsion and Train Control Systems.
6. Fire and smoke detection tests.
7. vii. Clearance by Electrical Inspector General to Government of India.
8. Detailed safety inspection and running trial run at 180 kmph by Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) / Ministry of Civil Aviation.
9. Subsequent to mandatory safety and operation trial of the prototype train, Ministry of Railways has issued sanction for introduction of Vande Bharat Train set with new design propulsion system and bogies over Indian Railways.

Integral Chief Factory (ICF) / Chennai has already turned out three (3) rakes of new and improved version of Vande Bharat Ver.2 trains till November 2022, in addition to two (2) Vande Bharat Trains in service since 2019.  Regular production of Vande Bharat Ver.2 has started from ICF from September 2022.

Production of thirty-five (35) rakes in coach production programme 2022-23 and sixty seven (67) rakes in coach production programme 2023-24 have been issued. However, actual turnout depends on supply chain, which is developing rapidly.

In an effort to boost domestic production of wheels, a tender has been floated for inviting bids from prospective vendors to establish facilities for manufacturing and supply of about 15,40,000 wheels of different rolling stock to the Railways over the period of 20 years. Tender has been floated under Make-In-India wherein only class-1 loco suppliers with local content more than 60% are eligible. The tender is due to be opened on 24.01.2023.

The first rake of new and improved version of Vande Bharat Ver 2.0 was inaugurated on 30.09.2022 from Gandhinagar Capital to Mumbai Central in Western Railway and is running in regular service since 01.10.2022. An incidence of hit by cattle on 06.10.2022 was reported between Gairatpur and Vatva division. The incidence caused minor damage to Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) coupler cover with brackets of Coach No. 226430 / DTC. The train journey was completed without any issue further. The FRP coupler cover with brackets was repaired in Mumbai Central (MMCT) depot without affecting any disruption in train services onwards.

11-Dec-2022: PM flags off Vande Bharat Express from Nagpur Railway Station

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off Vande Bharat Express connecting Nagpur and Bilaspur from platform number 1 of the Nagpur Railway Station today.

The Prime Minister inspected the train coaches of the Vande Bharat Express and took stock of the onboard facilities. Shri Modi inspected the control centre of the locomotive engine of Vande Bharat Express and also took stock of the development plans of the Nagpur and Ajni Railway Stations. The travel time from Nagpur to Bilaspur will be reduced to 5 hours 30 mins from 7-8 hours.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari when he arrived at Nagpur Railway Station.

Background

The introduction of the train will help boost tourism in the region and provide a comfortable and faster mode of travel. The travel time from Nagpur to Bilaspur will be 5 hours and 30 mins. This will be the sixth Vande Bharat train to be introduced in the country and is an advanced version compared to the earlier ones, being much lighter and capable of reaching higher speeds in a shorter duration. Vande Bharat 2.0 is equipped with more advancements and improved features such as reaching a speed of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 52 seconds, and a maximum speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour. The improved Vande Bharat Express will weigh 392 tons when compared to the previous version of 430 tons. It will also have a Wi-Fi content on-demand facility. Every coach has 32” screens providing passenger information and infotainment compared to 24” in the previous version. Vande Bharat Express will also be environmentally friendly as the ACs will be 15 per cent more energy efficient. With dust-free clean air cooling of the traction motor, travel will become more comfortable. A side recliner seat facility provided only to Executive Class passengers earlier will now be made available for all classes. Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats.

In the new design of Vande Bharat Express, a photo-catalytic ultraviolet air purification system is installed in the Roof-Mounted Package Unit (RMPU) for air purification. As recommended by Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, this system is designed and installed on both ends of RMPU to filter and clean the air free from germs, bacteria, viruses etc. coming through fresh air and return air.

The Vande Bharat Express 2.0 offers various superior and aircraft-like travelling experiences. It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System - KAVACH.

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