HBL Engineering has secured an order from Integral Coach Factory to supply KAVACH train protection systems valued at Rs 5,750 million (mn). The contract covers the manufacture and delivery of the systems to support onboard train safety upgrades. The company said the order marks a material contract win from a major coach manufacturer. The financial value is substantial for a single systems order and will be recorded in the firm's order book.

KAVACH is an automatic train protection and collision avoidance system developed for enhancing operational safety on the rail network. The system integrates with signalling and onboard controls to warn drivers and apply braking when required. Deployment typically aims to reduce human error and prevent collisions on busy routes. The technology combines onboard automatic braking with signalling integration to create layered safety controls and redundancy.

The order from Integral Coach Factory aligns with broader efforts by Indian Railways to modernise rolling stock with advanced safety technology. Suppliers of train protection systems have seen growing demand as the network upgrades signalling and onboard equipment. Industry observers regard such contracts as supporting domestic manufacturing and capability building. The award is likely to reinforce industry focus on domestic sourcing and the development of local testing and certification capabilities.

For HBL Engineering the contract represents a strategic expansion in its rail systems portfolio and may bolster its order book for the period ahead. The firm intends to work closely with the coach manufacturer on integration, testing and delivery schedules. Company officials indicated that delivery timelines and installation plans will be finalised in consultation with the coach manufacturer, with focus on testing and certification. The transaction underscores the growing priority given to safety-driven procurements within the rail sector and the commercial importance of such technology contracts.