**Executive Summary**
Western Railway commissioned KAVACH Version 4.0 on the Virar-Vadodara section, marking a significant advancement in railway safety technology. On January 30, 2026, the Dadar-Bhuj Sayajinagri Express became the first KAVACH-equipped train to operate from Mumbai. The implementation covers 344 km, involving 49 stations and supported by radio communication towers and optical fiber cables.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **KAVACH Commissioning:**
* KAVACH Version 4.0 commissioned for passenger services on the 344 km Virar-Surat-Vadodara section.
* Dadar-Bhuj Sayajinagri Express becomes the first KAVACH-equipped train from Mumbai.
* A total of 435 route kilometres on Western Railway has been commissioned with KAVACH as of January 30, 2026, including the Vadodara-Ahmedabad section.
* **KAVACH Technology:**
* The technology minimizes risks from human error by preventing signal passing at danger, over-speeding, and collisions.
* Enhances operational safety during adverse weather conditions with features like auto-whistling and in-cab signal aspect repetition.
* KAVACH has been implemented covering 49 stations, supported by 57 radio communication towers, and about 700 km of optical fibre cable.
* **Expansion Plans:**
* KAVACH works are progressing rapidly on several other sections of Western Railway covering 2667 route kilometres at an approximate cost of ₹1435 crore.
* Further works on 2476 route kilometres have been proposed for sanction.
**Impact Analysis**
**Western Railway**
* **Impact:** Enhanced safety and operational excellence through the deployment of KAVACH technology across its network.
* **Action Required:** Continue with phased execution to extend KAVACH across the entire Broad Gauge network.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** Increased safety due to reduced risks of accidents arising from human error and adverse conditions.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required; benefit from safer train operations.
**Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Deployment of a technologically advanced and cost-effective indigenous safety solution.
* **Action Required:** Support the continued development and implementation of KAVACH to align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
KAVACH Version 4.0: Indigenously developed train protection system commissioned by Western Railway.
Western Railway: Railway zone commissioning and expanding KAVACH technology across its network.
Virar-Vadodara Section: Specific railway section where KAVACH 4.0 has been commissioned.
Ministry of Railways: Governing body overseeing the implementation of KAVACH.
Ministry of Railways
Western Railway commissions Kavach 4.0 on
Virar- Vadorara Section
Train No. 20907 Dadar–Bhuj Sayajinagri Express becomes the
first KAVACH equipped train to be run from Mumbai
Major Leap in Train Safety as Indigenous Protection System
Goes Live for Passenger Services
प्रव तथ: 30 JAN 2026 8:31PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 30 January 2026
Reinforcing its unwavering commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence,
Western Railway has commissioned KAVACH Version 4.0, the indigenously developed train
protection system, for passenger services over the 344 km Virar–Surat–Vadodara section.
On 30th January, 2026 a historic milestone was achieved with Train No. 20907, Dadar–Bhuj
Sayajinagri Express, becoming the first KAVACH equipped train to run from Mumbai. This
marks a significant step in the deployment of advanced safety technology over the Western
Railway network.
Photo Caption: (Left) Shri Pradeep Kumar, General Manager (Looking After) of Western
Railway, along with senior officials of Western Railway at the commissioning of KAVACH
version 4.0. at Dadar (WR) railway station. (Right) KAVACH device installed in the
locomotive of Train No. 20907, Dadar–Bhuj Sayajinagri Express.
The KAVACH technology has been commissioned over 344 km of the Virar–Surat–Vadodara
section. Over this corridor, KAVACH has been implemented covering 49 stations, supported
by 57 radio communication towers, and about 700 km of optical fibre cable. KAVACH acts asan additional layer of safety to minimize risks arising from human error by preventing signal
passing at danger, over-speeding and collisions, while also enhancing operational safety
during adverse weather and low-visibility conditions through features such as auto-whistling
at level crossings and in-cab signal aspect repetition.
Western Railway had earlier commissioned the KAVACH system on the Vadodara–
Ahmedabad section in December 2025. With the commissioning of the Virar–Vadodara
section, a total of 435 route kilometres on Western Railway has been commissioned with
KAVACH as on date. Shri Vineet stated that KAVACH technology, developed indigenously by
Indian Railways, is a technologically advanced and cost-effective safety solution,
symbolising Atmanirbhar Bharat in railway safety systems.
Photo Caption: Illustrative diagram of the working of the indigenously developed KAVACH
system, highlighting the seamless integration of onboard, trackside and station-level
components for automated train protection.
In addition to the sections already commissioned, KAVACH works is progressing rapidly on
several other sections of Western Railway covering 2667 route kilometres, at an
approximate cost of ₹1435 crore. Apart from this, further works on 2476 route kilometres
have been proposed for sanction, highlighting the scale and momentum of the programme.
With phased execution underway, Western Railway is steadily moving towards extending
KAVACH across its entire Broad Gauge network, reaffirming its long-term commitment to
comprehensive rail safety enhancement.With sustained progress in deploying advanced safety systems across its network, Western
Railway continues to move decisively towards building a safer, more reliable and future-ready
railway system for the nation.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane
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