The Ministry of Railways (MoR) approved projects worth Rs 13.64 billion for deployment of Kavach (indigenous train collision avoidance system) and upgradation of communication infrastructure across Indian Railways (IR). The works include installation of Kavach Version 4.0 on locomotives and strengthening of optical fibre communication (OFC) backbone to support modern signalling systems. These are:
- Kavach Installation Project (Southern Railway (SR)) involves installation of Kavach Version 4.0 on 232 locomotives at an estimated cost of Rs 2.08 billion.
- OFC Backbone Upgrade Project (Northern Railway (NR)) involves upgradation of OFC backbone over 3,200+ route km at an estimated cost of Rs 4.87 billion.
- A sub-umbrella provision of Rs 8.71 billion has been allocated for NR. Under this, three works have been approved, including provision of 2×48 fibre cables along 926.05 route km in Ambala division at an estimated cost of Rs 1.15 billion, provision of 2×48 fibre cables along 1,204 route km along with OFC rooms at stations in Delhi division at an estimated cost of Rs 1.65 billion, and provision of 2×48 fibre cables along 1,074 route km in Lucknow division at an estimated cost of Rs 1.19 billion. The works are aimed at enhancing the capacity and reliability of communication systems across these divisions, which are critical for modern signalling systems and deployment of Kavach.
- OFC provision for Kavach over North Central Railway (NCR) involves provision of 2×48 fibre OFC for deployment of Kavach over NCR at an estimated cost of Rs 1.76 billion. The work forms part of the umbrella programme for strengthening, repair and replacement of the communication backbone across IR, with a sub-umbrella allocation of Rs 2 billion earmarked for NCR. The approved work will cover 2,196 rkm, including 1,016 km in Prayagraj division, 709 km in Jhansi division, and 471 km in Agra division, and is expected to support Kavach deployment while enhancing communication infrastructure across high-density routes.
- Electronic Interlocking works in South Central Railway (SCR) involves replacement of panel interlocking with electronic interlocking systems across SCR at an estimated cost of Rs 5.78 billion. The works fall under the umbrella project titled “Provision of Electronic Interlocking at balance stations on HDN/HUN routes where Kavach/Automatic Block Signaling System (ABS)/CTC is sanctioned (Umbrella Work 2024-25)”, approved at a cost of Rs 151.64 billion under Plan Head-33, with a sub-umbrella allocation of Rs 18.57 billion for SCR. The approved scope includes replacement of panel interlocking with electronic interlocking at 35 stations in Guntakal division and 14 stations in Nanded division, aimed at improving signalling systems and supporting modern train control technologies on high-density and highly utilised routes.