Delhi-Agra high speed trains Gatimaan Express, Vande Bharat running at reduced speed for over a year due to 'Kavach' delay

AGRA: Semi high-speed trains Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat, which usually run at 160 kmph, have been operating at a reduced speed of 130 kmph for over a year, largely due to the absence of the Kavach system on the Delhi-Agra rail route.

The Railway Board had directed the speed reduction from 160 kmph to 130 kmph (maximum speed) until the automatic train protection system (Kavach) became operational.As per an RTI reply by Indian Railways to TOI, clarified: "Train numbers 12049, 12050, 12001, 12002, 20171, 20172, 22469 and 22470 are currently being operated at a speed of 130 kmph. As per Railway Board letter no. 2021/Sig/Kavach/Vande Bharat dated June 24, 2024, the above-mentioned trains will be operated at a maximum speed of 130 kmph on the Agra-Delhi section until the automatic train protection (ATP) system becomes operational.

"On June 24, the Railway Board issued a letter and stated the issue of speed of these trains was examined, and specifically mentioned three trains: 20171/20172 (Hzt Nizamuddin-Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express), 22470/22469 (Hzt Nizamuddin-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express) and 12049/12050 (New Delhi-Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Gatimaan Express).Gatiman is India's first semi high-speed train, launched in April 2016 to connect Delhi's Hzt Nizamuddin station with Agra Cantt in just 100 minutes, which runs between Nizamuddin and Jhansi.

It used to run at a speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra as tracks were laid there to suit the train's speed. In addition, trains 20171/20172 and 22470/22469 also used to run at 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra. Similarly, New Delhi-Rani Kamalapati Shatabdi Exp (12002/12001) used to run at 150 kmph between Delhi and Agra. The RTI stated the combined "punctuality of these trains between April 1 and July 31 stood at 77.9%."

Giving details about the Kavach system in the Delhi-Agra section, the RTI added: "ATP work is in progress in the Palwal-Bhuteshwar section of North Central Railway. Equipment has been installed, energised and RFID tags are fixed at the site.

An Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) inspection has been done by the inspecting authority and the ISA report is awaited. ATP work is in progress in Bhuteshwar-Agra section of North Central Railway.

Tender awarded on March 31, 2025." Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protection (ATP) system. It is a highly technology-intensive system which requires safety certification of the highest order (SIL-4). This system involves the placement of RFID tags on tracks in station areas and other places, installation of stationary 'Kavach' units at several places such as stations, and installation of towers and antennas along the tracks.