Kolkata: Eastern Railway has completed Kavach — the indigenous train collision avoidance system — passenger trials in the Howrah-Bardhaman section, general manager Milind Deouskar said on Tuesday.
The technology aims to prevent accidents caused by human error or equipment failures. Kavach provides real-time information to train pilots, automatically applies brakes in emergencies, and ensures safe train operations even during adverse weather conditions.
"Work is going on in full swing to introduce the Kavach system in the Howrah-Chhota Ambona section. Passenger trial on the Howrah-Bardhaman stretch of this section was conducted last week. Trials on the Bardhaman-Chhota Ambona section should start in March," the GM said.
"All 86 EMU rakes in the Howrah-Chhota Ambona section would be made Kavach-compliant in the next nine to 12 months," he said.
"Funds are not an issue. Most of ER will be equipped with Kavach by 2028," the GM said. Sumit Sarkar, AGM, ER, was also present at the press conference.
The GM said ER's passenger traffic in this fiscal (till Dec 2024) was 918 million compared to 855 million during the previous year's corresponding period. "Freight loading also increased to 71 million tons during April to Dec this fiscal.
"ER's revenue also increased to Rs 10,163 crore in the current fiscal compared to Rs 8,420 crore the previous year," the GM said.
Passenger revenue during April-Dec, 2024 was 6% higher than the same period in 2023. Goods revenue also saw a 28% increase, he said.