The Visakhapatnam Electric Loco Shed has become the first in the East Coast Railway Zone to commission the indigenously developed ‘Kavach’ Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) on its locomotives—marking a major milestone in India’s journey towards zero-accident railway operations.

‘Kavach’, a cutting-edge, made-in-India safety technology, provides real-time signal information to the loco pilot via a wireless communication network. Using RFID tags along the track for precise location data, it enables seamless communication between onboard systems and station interlocking infrastructure. By automating safety protocols—such as preventing signal violations and regulating speed—Kavach mitigates the risk of human error and enhances operational reliability, even at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions.

The Visakhapatnam shed has been tasked with installing Kavach on 186 locomotives. To support this large-scale integration, it has built a dedicated 600-metre test track and installed a station-based Kavach unit to conduct rigorous trials and system calibration. The inaugural run of a Kavach-equipped locomotive from the shed marks a significant turning point for railway safety in the region.

The technology provides automatic protection against head-on collisions, prevents signal passing at danger (SPAD), and adjusts train speed based on signal aspects. These features not only ensure passenger safety but also enhance network efficiency by reducing overspeed incidents and enabling quicker, safer decision-making by loco pilots.

Adopting Kavach places Visakhapatnam at the forefront of Indian Railways’ safety and technology transformation. It reflects the city’s commitment to innovation, smart urban development, and sustainable transport solutions. The system supports India’s broader vision of self-reliance and digital advancement while directly improving the safety of millions of rail passengers.