VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The Vadodara Division of Western Railway on Sunday created history by successfully commissioning the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection system on the crucial Bajwa–Ahmedabad section, marking the first such rollout across the entire Western Railway zone. The commissioning, completed on December 29, is being hailed as a major leap in railway safety and a significant step towards reducing accidents caused by human error.
Stretching over a distance of nearly 96 kilometres, the Bajwa–Ahmedabad section is an important operational corridor that caters to both passenger and freight traffic. With the integration of Kavach, as many as 17 stations along this stretch have been brought under an advanced safety umbrella. The system installed at stations is of HBL make and has been seamlessly integrated with trackside and onboard equipment to ensure uninterrupted communication and real-time monitoring of train movements.
To support the functioning of this sophisticated safety system, Western Railway undertook extensive infrastructure development across the section. A network of 23 communication towers and 20 dedicated Kavach buildings and huts has been established, forming the backbone of the system. Nearly 192 kilometres of optical fibre cable were laid to enable high-speed and reliable data transmission, while 2,872 RFID tags were installed along the track to facilitate accurate train detection, location tracking and speed supervision.
The commissioning was operationally validated through the successful run of the Sankalp Fast Passenger (Train Nos. 59549/59550), which became the maiden Kavach-equipped train on this section. The train was hauled by WAP-7 locomotive number 30459, fitted with HBL make loco Kavach, and operated with a full load of 11 LHB coaches, demonstrating the system’s robustness under real working conditions. To ensure effective supervision and control, Network Monitoring Systems have been installed at the Vadodara Division office in Pratapnagar as well as at Ahmedabad.
With Kavach now fully functional on the Bajwa–Ahmedabad route, the section is equipped with an automated safety mechanism capable of preventing serious operational risks. The system automatically intervenes in situations such as a train passing a signal at danger, supervises speeds on main lines, loop lines and permanent speed restriction zones, and offers protection against both head-on and rear-end collisions. It also includes an SOS facility for emergency situations and enables automatic whistling at level crossing gates, enhancing safety for both rail and road users.
Railway officials described the commissioning as a transformative achievement that significantly raises safety standards on Western Railway. They said the successful implementation of Kavach on this key section reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to deploying indigenous, technology-driven solutions and is expected to pave the way for faster expansion of the system across other busy routes in the zone.
