Indian Railways approves Rs 362 crore Kavach expansion in Punjab and J&K

Indian Railways approves a Rs 362 crore expansion of the Kavach train protection system across key routes in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to improve railway safety and reduce accident risks.

In Short

• Railways approves Rs 362 crore Kavach expansion project
• Safety system to cover 1,478 route kilometres in Northern Railway
• Kavach helps prevent collisions and signal passing errors

Indian Railways has approved a Rs 362 crore expansion of the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system across important railway routes in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The project will cover nearly 1,478 route kilometres under Northern Railway and is aimed at improving train safety, reducing accident risks and modernising railway infrastructure.

Officials said the Kavach rollout will take place across sections of the Firozpur and Jammu railway divisions as part of the Railways’ larger push to strengthen safety systems across the country.

WHAT THE KAVACH SYSTEM DOES

Kavach is an Indian-made automatic train protection system designed to prevent accidents caused by human error. The system can automatically apply brakes if a train driver misses a signal or if there is a risk of collision. It also monitors overspeeding and helps trains operate more safely during fog and poor weather conditions.

Railway officials said the technology protects against situations such as Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), head-on collisions and rear-end crashes. The system also improves operational reliability and punctuality on busy railway routes.

FIROZPUR AND JAMMU DIVISIONS COVERED

According to the Railway Ministry, Kavach will be installed across around 1,012 route kilometres in the remaining sections of the Firozpur Division at an estimated cost of about Rs 241 crore.

In the Jammu Division, the system will cover around 466 route kilometres at a cost of nearly Rs 121 crore. The approved sections include Jalandhar City Junction-Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Batala Junction–Pathankot Junction and Banihal–Baramulla routes.

The Jammu railway division, which became operational recently under Northern Railway, plays a major role in improving rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

PUSH FOR RAILWAY SAFETY AND MODERNISATION

Indian Railways has been expanding the Kavach system in phases across different zones to improve passenger safety and reduce dependence on manual operations.

The latest approval is part of the government’s broader railway modernisation plan, which also includes station redevelopment, electrification and upgraded signalling systems.

Officials said the Kavach expansion will become especially important as rail connectivity grows further in Jammu and Kashmir, including services such as the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express operating on the USBRL corridor.

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