Indian Railways approves Rs 140 crore Kavach project for Ahmedabad division

Indian Railways has approved Kavach Version 4.0 on 598 route kilometres in Ahmedabad Division. The ₹140 crore project will bring the division's remaining sections under the indigenous safety system.

In Short

• The sanction covers 48 block sections under Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway
• The project falls under Indian Railways' LTE-based Kavach expansion programme
• Around 702 route kilometres in the division had already received approval

Indian Railways has taken another major step towards strengthening rail safety by approving the installation of Kavach Version 4.0 on 598 route kilometres across the Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway in Gujarat. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of 140 crore and is part of the broader plan to expand the indigenous train protection system across the national rail network.

The approval comes under the umbrella programme for the provision of Kavach with an LTE-based communication backbone on the remaining routes of Indian Railways.

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WHAT IS THE NEW PROJECT ABOUT?

The newly approved project will cover 598 route kilometres spanning 48 block sections in the Ahmedabad Division. The initiative aims to extend the deployment of Kavach, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, across the remaining sections of the division.

Earlier, Kavach implementation had already been sanctioned on approximately 702 route kilometres within the Ahmedabad Division. With the latest approval, all remaining sections of the division will now be brought under the safety system.

KAVACH TO ENHANCE TRAIN SAFETY

Kavach is an indigenously developed safety technology designed to prevent accidents and improve operational efficiency on railway networks. The system automatically monitors train movements and intervenes when required to avoid unsafe situations.

One of its key functions is preventing Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), a situation where a train crosses a stop signal without authorisation. The system can automatically apply brakes if a train driver fails to respond appropriately.

KEY FEATURES OF KAVACH

The advanced train protection system offers multiple safety benefits, including:

• Prevention of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD)
• Automatic brake application in unsafe situations
• Speed control during critical operational conditions
• Collision risk reduction through continuous monitoring
• Improved operational safety for train services
• The technology is designed to act as an additional layer of protection, reducing the possibility of human error leading to accidents.

PART OF A LARGER MODERNISATION DRIVE

Indian Railways has been progressively expanding the deployment of Kavach across its network as part of its broader efforts to modernise train operations and enhance passenger safety.

The latest approval for the Ahmedabad Division reflects the government's continued focus on adopting advanced indigenous technologies to strengthen railway infrastructure. Once implemented, the expanded Kavach network is expected to contribute significantly to safer and more reliable train operations in the region.

With the completion of the newly sanctioned work, Ahmedabad Division will move closer to comprehensive coverage under the indigenous safety system, marking another milestone in Indian Railways' modernisation and safety enhancement journey.

- Ends