Indian Railways Commissions Kavach 4.0 on Gujarat’s Bajwa-Vadodara to Ahmedabad Section
The project covers 17 stations and features extensive infrastructure, including 23 communication towers, 20 Kavach buildings/huts, 192 km of optical fibre cable, and 2,872 RFID tags for precise train tracking.
The inaugural Kavach-enabled train was the Sankalp Fast Passenger (59549/59550), running with WAP-7 locomotives and 11 LHB coaches, validating the system’s operational readiness.
Kavach 4.0, certified to the highest Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standard, automatically prevents accidents by addressing Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD), enforcing speed restrictions (including sectional, loop line, and permanent limits), and protecting against head-on, rear-end, and side collisions. It also includes SOS functionality and automatic whistling at level crossings, ensuring safety even in adverse weather.
Key upgrades in Version 4.0 include enhanced location accuracy, improved signal information in complex yards, station-to-station optical fibre interfaces for reliable communication, and direct integration with existing electronic interlocking systems. These make it ideal for India’s high-density network.
With this commissioning, Kavach coverage exceeds 2,200 route kilometres nationwide, underscoring Indian Railways’ commitment to indigenous technology for safer, more reliable operations.
