New Delhi, June 22, 2026: In a significant move to strengthen railway safety and modernize train operations, Indian Railways has approved the deployment of the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system across 631 route kilometres (RKm) of the East Coast Railway network. The project has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹270 crore.
The approved deployment will cover six key railway sections under East Coast Railway:
- Baghuapal–Budhapank
- Haridaspur–Paradeep
- Khurda Road (KUR)–Balangir
- Naupada–Gunupur
- Lanjigarh Road–Junagarh
- Bobbili–Salur
Indigenous Safety Technology Expansion
The project forms part of Indian Railways' nationwide initiative to expand the coverage of Kavach, India's indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system. Supported by an LTE-based communication backbone, Kavach is designed to prevent accidents caused by signal passing at danger (SPAD), overspeeding, and potential train collisions.
The system continuously monitors train movement and can automatically apply brakes whenever required, significantly enhancing operational safety and reducing the possibility of human error.
Improved Safety and Operational Efficiency
Railway officials stated that the installation of Kavach on these sections will provide an additional layer of protection for both passenger and freight trains. The technology enables safer train operations by offering real-time monitoring and automatic intervention in critical situations.
Kavach also improves train reliability during challenging weather conditions such as dense fog, where visibility is severely reduced. This is expected to enhance punctuality, operational efficiency, and overall service reliability across the network.
Strengthening East Coast Railway Infrastructure
The sanctioned project is expected to benefit major railway corridors across Odisha and neighboring regions served by East Coast Railway. By expanding Kavach coverage on strategically important routes, Indian Railways continues its mission of creating a safer, smarter, and more technologically advanced rail network.
The latest approval marks another milestone in India's efforts to deploy homegrown railway safety solutions and accelerate the modernization of one of the world's largest rail networks.
Source - Press Information Bureau[PIB India]
0 Comments