Indian Railways Enhances Safety with Indigenous KAVACH System

Indian Railways has taken a significant step towards enhancing rail safety by approving the expansion of the indigenous KAVACH system across over 1,478 kilometers of the Northern Railway network. This initiative, costing ₹362 crores, aims to improve safety on key routes in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The project includes the installation of communication towers and infrastructure to ensure efficient operation. Additionally, Indian Railways is investing in broader safety measures and communication enhancements across its network. Learn more about this ambitious project and its implications for rail travel safety.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 12:01 IST

Significant Safety Initiative by Indian Railways

In a major move towards ensuring safe and accident-free rail travel, Indian Railways has officially approved the expansion of the indigenous train safety system 'KAVACH' across over 1,478 kilometers of the Northern Railway network. This ambitious project, costing approximately ₹362 crores, aims to bolster the safety of key railway routes in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

Implementation Details of the KAVACH System

Under this initiative, the remaining 1,012 kilometers of track in the Firozpur division will see the installation of the KAVACH safety system at a cost of ₹241 crores. Similarly, the Jammu division will implement the system over 466 kilometers at an expenditure of ₹121 crores.

KAVACH System Overview

The KAVACH safety system, developed domestically to prevent collisions between trains, will be installed along the railway tracks. To ensure its seamless and efficient operation, 40-meter high communication towers and antenna infrastructure will also be developed. This enhancement will significantly improve the safety, reliability, and smooth functioning of the Northern Railway's infrastructure.

Broader Infrastructure Safety Measures

Last month, Indian Railways approved several projects worth ₹1,364 crores aimed at strengthening safety, signaling, and communication infrastructure across its network. This includes the installation of KAVACH equipment in 232 locomotives of the Southern Railway at a cost of ₹208 crores.

Strengthening Communication Backbone

Additionally, three separate projects worth ₹400 crores were approved for enhancing the communication backbone infrastructure in Northern Railway. According to a statement from Indian Railways, these projects are part of a comprehensive initiative aimed at "strengthening, repairing, and replacing the communication backbone in Indian Railways" (Umbrella Project 2024–25).

Financial Allocations for Northern Railway

Indian Railways stated that a sub-umbrella provision of ₹871 crores has been allocated for Northern Railway. This includes approvals for three projects: laying 2×48 fiber cables over 926.05 route kilometers in the Ambala division at a cost of ₹115.74 crores; installing 2×48 fiber cables over 1,204 route kilometers in the Delhi division along with creating Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) rooms at stations, costing ₹165.49 crores; and laying 2×48 fiber cables over 1,074 route kilometers in the Lucknow division at a cost of ₹119.63 crores.