Ahmedabad Railway Set for Complete Kavach 4.0 Coverage with Rs.140 Crore Safety Boost

AHMEDABAD : In a major step towards making train travel safer and more technologically advanced, Indian Railways has approved a ₹140 crore project to implement the indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ train protection system across the remaining sections of Ahmedabad Railway Division. Once completed, the move will bring the entire Ahmedabad railway network under the advanced safety shield, significantly strengthening passenger security and operational efficiency.

The newly sanctioned project will cover 598 route kilometers spread across 48 block sections of Ahmedabad Division. The approval comes under Indian Railways’ nationwide programme to deploy the Kavach system along with an LTE-based communication network across the remaining rail routes.

Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash said the division has already received approval for the Kavach system on around 702 route kilometers. “With the sanction of this new project, the remaining sections of Ahmedabad Railway will also be brought under Kavach. This will ensure 100 percent coverage of the Ahmedabad railway network, taking the total protected route length to nearly 1,300 kilometers,” he said.

Kavach is India’s state-of-the-art Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by Indian Railways to prevent accidents and enhance train safety. The technology is designed to automatically apply brakes if a loco pilot fails to respond to a signal, thereby preventing Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), one of the major causes of rail accidents.

The system also regulates train speed in sensitive zones, prevents collisions by maintaining safe distances between trains, and provides real-time communication between locomotives and signalling infrastructure. Railway officials believe the technology will dramatically reduce operational risks and improve reliability across the network.

“Kavach represents a major leap in railway safety and self-reliance. Its expansion across Ahmedabad Division will help create a safer and smarter railway ecosystem while reinforcing India’s commitment to indigenous technology,” a senior railway official said.

Indian Railways is implementing Kavach in phases across the country, placing passenger safety at the centre of its modernization agenda. The complete rollout of Kavach 4.0 in Ahmedabad is expected to serve as a benchmark for future railway safety projects and strengthen Gujarat’s position as a key hub in India’s rapidly evolving transportation network.