Western Railway proposes Rs 483.65 crore Kavach safety work

Wait 5 sec.

By: Express News ServiceJanuary 19, 2026 02:17 PM IST 2 min readThe second component involves the modification, upgradation and programming of 436 locomotives on Western Railway to enable seamless functioning of the Kavach system.Western Railway has proposed two major works for the implementation of the Kavach train collision avoidance system under Indian Railways Umbrella 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 section, covering 307 route kilometres. The project has been estimated at a cost of Rs 109.83 crore and is aimed at enhancing operational safety on the section through the deployment of the indigenous train protection system.The second component involves the modification, upgradation and programming of 436 locomotives on Western Railway to enable seamless functioning of the Kavach system. This work has been proposed at a cost of Rs 373.82 crore.“These proposals are aimed at strengthening safety systems on Western Railway and expanding the deployment of the indigenous Kavach technology in line with Indian Railways’ safety roadmap,” said Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway.The proposals will require approval under the relevant works programme before execution can begin. If cleared, the projects are expected to significantly expand the Kavach footprint on Western Railway and allow a larger number of locomotives to operate under the collision avoidance system.What is KavachKavach is an indigenous train collision avoidance system developed for Indian Railways to prevent accidents caused by human error. It acts as an automatic safety layer that monitors a train’s speed and movement in relation to signals and other trains. If a loco pilot misses a stop signal or overspeeds, Kavach warns the driver and, if there is no corrective action, automatically applies the brakes.The system works through continuous communication between equipment fitted on locomotives, trackside devices and the signalling network. Kavach is meant to prevent Signal Passed at Danger incidents and reduce the risk of collisions on busy routes. It is being rolled out in phases on high traffic corridors as part of Indian Railways’ push to strengthen train safety.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd