Visakhapatnam Loco Shed Commissions Kavach Safety System

02 Sep 2025 CW Team

‘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.

With this pioneering effort, Visakhapatnam sets a precedent for other divisions to follow—demonstrating how strategic investments in indigenous technology can drive operational excellence, public safety, and long-term sustainability in India’s transport infrastructure.

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.With this pioneering effort, Visakhapatnam sets a precedent for other divisions to follow—demonstrating how strategic investments in indigenous technology can drive operational excellence, public safety, and long-term sustainability in India’s transport infrastructure.

Infrastructure Transport

22 Sep 2025

NHAI Tightens Contractor Norms to Boost Highway Quality

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised Request for Proposal (RFP) provisions to enhance the quality of highway projects, reduce delays, and lower lifecycle costs. The updates tighten contractor qualification norms, strengthen execution compliance, and increase financial transparency, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said on Wednesday.The stricter RFP clauses will ensure that only technically capable and experienced contractors are eligible for national highway projects. RFPs formally invite bids from contractors, specifying project requirements, terms, a..

Infrastructure Transport

22 Sep 2025

Imphal to Gain Rail Connectivity with Jiribam Line Soon

Indian Railways is advancing rapidly on the Jiribam–Imphal railway line, a landmark project set to bring train connectivity to Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The 110.625 km line falls under the administrative control of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.Following the recent completion of the Bairabi–Sairang rail project, which enabled services from Aizawl (Sairang), Imphal will soon join the national rail network. During his visit to Manipur on 13 September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the government is investing Rs 22 billion in the project.Currently, a 55.36 ..

Infrastructure Transport

22 Sep 2025

Adani to Double Colombo Terminal Capacity Ahead of Schedule

India’s Adani Group and its partners are set to double the capacity of the $840 million Colombo West International Terminal months ahead of schedule, despite relinquishing $553 million in U.S. funding, according to an executive at partner firm John Keells Holdings.The deepwater terminal, situated alongside a facility operated by China Merchants Port Holdings, highlights Sri Lanka’s strategic role in the contest for influence in the Indian Ocean between New Delhi and Beijing.The first phase of the fully automated terminal became operational in April 2025. The second and final phase is under..