2 minutes of readingJanuary 19, 2026 02:17 pm IST
Western Railway has proposed two major works for implementation of Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System under Indian Railways General Work 2024 25, with a total estimated outlay of Rs 483.65 crore.
One of the key components of the proposal is the provision of Kavach on the Udhna Jalgaon stretch, covering 307 kilometers of route. The project has been estimated to cost Rs 109.83 crore and aims to improve operational safety in the section by deploying the indigenous train protection system.
The second component involves the modification, upgrading and programming of 436 locomotives at Western Railway to enable seamless operation of the Kavach system. This work was proposed at a cost of Rs 373.82 million.
“These proposals are aimed at strengthening safety systems at Western Railway and expanding the deployment of indigenous Kavach technology in line with Indian Railways’ safety roadmap,” said Vineet Abhishek, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.
The proposals will require approval of the corresponding works program before execution can begin. If approved, the projects are expected to significantly expand Kavach’s footprint at Western Railway and allow a greater number of locomotives to operate under the collision avoidance system.
What is Kavach?
Kavach is an indigenous train collision avoidance system developed for Indian Railways to prevent accidents caused by human errors. It acts as an automatic safety layer that monitors the speed and movement of a train in relation to signals and other trains. If a locomotive pilot misses a stop sign or exceeds speed, Kavach warns the driver and, if there is no corrective action, automatically applies the brakes.
The system works through continuous communication between the equipment installed on the locomotives, the devices on the track and the signaling network. Kavach is intended to prevent signal passing incidents and reduce the risk of collisions on busy routes. It is being implemented in phases on high-traffic corridors as part of Indian Railways’ effort to strengthen train safety.