RailTel has secured a Rs 4,549.5 million (mn) engineering, procurement and construction contract to deploy the Kavach train collision avoidance system across 1,067 route kilometres (RKM) in the West Central Railway. The project, on an EPC basis, covers trackside systems on high density and critical routes within the Jabalpur Division. The award marks a substantial safety infrastructure order for the company.

Key sections included in the scope are Itarsi to Manikpur, Mahdeiya to Bina Malkheri to Mahadeokheri, the Katni complex, Bina Malkheri to Agasod, Satna to Rewa, Kaima to Sagma and Bansapahar to Ohan. The work will extend to installations at stations, level crossing gates and intermediate block signalling locations. Programme activities will integrate signalling, telecom and software components to enhance operational safety.

The technical scope encompasses optical fibre cable works, tower erection and associated civil, track and electrical works required for full operationalisation. Implementation will follow survey, design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning phases as per the EPC agreement. The project is scheduled for completion within 960 days.

The award supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective by deploying an indigenous safety system developed for Indian Railways and advances the move towards technology driven self reliance. RailTel was already executing two Kavach projects covering 1,109 route kilometres under the East Central Railway, providing prior delivery experience. The chairman and managing director described the order as recognition of the company's capabilities and affirmed the firm's commitment to safer, smarter and technology driven rail operations.

RailTel operates a broad telecom and IT backbone that enabled the bid, including a 63,000 RKM optical fibre network, a 21,000 km citywide access network, over 11,000 points of presence and 1,100 telecom towers. The company provides public Wi Fi at 6,115 railway stations and is supported by a central network operation centre and four regional centres. Holding IP one, NLD and ISP licences, the firm runs Tier Three data centres, a security operation centre and MeitY empanelled cloud services, which together support signalling and digital solutions.