Indian Railways Approves ₹1,364 Crore for Kavach and Signalling Upgrades Across Zones

Indian Railways has cleared projects worth ₹1,364.45 crore covering signalling systems, safety mechanisms and communication infrastructure, as per PTI reports.  

The approvals span multiple zones and include Kavach installation, optical fibre expansion, and upgrades to interlocking systems. 

Electronic Interlocking to Replace Older Systems 

Out of the total, ₹578.02 crore has been allocated to South Central Railway. The work involves replacing panel interlocking with electronic interlocking at 49 stations, including 35 in Guntakal Division and 14 in Nanded Division. 

Electronic interlocking is to standardise signalling operations and reduce manual handling at stations, particularly on routes with higher traffic density. 

Fibre Network Expansion Across Divisions 

Northern Railway has been allotted ₹400.86 crore for strengthening communication infrastructure. The approved works include laying optical fibre cables across Ambala, Delhi, and Lucknow divisions. 

The network will cover over 3,200 route kilometres. In Delhi Division, stations will also be equipped with optical fibre communication rooms to support signalling and train control systems. 

Additional Allocation for North Central Railway 

A separate allocation of ₹176.77 crore has been made for North Central Railway. The project includes installation of 2×48 fibre optical cables across 2,196 route kilometres. 

The coverage includes Prayagraj, Jhansi and Agra divisions. These sections form part of high-density routes where uninterrupted communication systems are required for signalling and safety functions. 

Kavach Installation in Southern Railway 

The railways have approved ₹208.81 crore for installation of Kavach Version 4.0 on 232 locomotives in Southern Railway. Kavach is an automated train protection system intended to prevent collisions under certain operating conditions. 

The rollout forms part of a larger programme for expanding the system across identified routes with supporting communication infrastructure. 

Linked Programmes and Overall Scope 

The approved works fall under broader programmes, including a ₹27,693 crore plan for Kavach deployment and a ₹15,164 crore plan for electronic interlocking on busy routes. 

These projects are intended to align signalling systems with communication networks across zones. 

Read More: Indian Railways Clocks ₹6,735 Crore Revenue from Scrap Disposal in FY26, Beats Target! 

Conclusion 

The approvals include upgrades to signalling, communication and safety equipment across multiple zones, focusing on systems used in daily train operations. 

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