To enhance passenger safety and prevent railway accidents, North Western Railway is rapidly installing the advanced Kavach 4.0 train protection system.
The project, approved at an estimated cost of ₹2,300 crore, will implement the indigenous technology across 5,561 kilometres of railway tracks in the North Western Railway zone.
Officials said the system will significantly improve train safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Approved Across All Railway Divisions
The deployment of the Kavach system has been approved across all divisions of North Western Railway.
Currently, work is progressing rapidly on about 1,556 kilometres of railway track, where the system is being installed in phases.
Integrated Safety System for Trains
The Kavach system integrates communication networks, signalling systems, and locomotive technology to create a comprehensive safety mechanism.
In case of a potential danger such as signal violation or excessive speed, the system can automatically apply brakes in the train, reducing the risk of accidents.
250 Communication Towers to Be Installed
To support the system, the railway is also laying optical fibre cable (OFC) along the tracks to establish a strong communication network.
Tenders have been issued for OFC installation across 1,586 rail kilometres, and about 56 percent of the work has already been completed.
Under the project, 250 network towers will be installed along the railway tracks. Currently, work on 221 towers is in progress.
These towers will ensure continuous communication between trains and stations.
RFID Tags to Be Installed Every Kilometre
The Kavach system will also include RFID tags installed at every kilometre along the railway tracks.
These tags help determine the exact location of trains, enabling the locomotive’s onboard Kavach system to communicate with station control systems and telecom towers.
How the Kavach System Works
The system improves railway safety through several key features:
- RFID tags on tracks identify the exact location of trains
- Communication towers maintain constant connectivity between trains and stations
- Locomotive Kavach systems monitor signals and speed
- Automatic braking is activated during dangerous situations
Officials said the large-scale deployment of Kavach technology will play a major role in reducing train collisions and improving railway safety across the North Western Railway network.
