HBL Engineering Limited won two significant Kavach contracts from the South Central Railway. The contract will improve the operational safety of trains under the South Central Railway zone. First order covers implementing Kavach across 446 km between Vijayawada and Ballarshah, while second one involves Kavach upgradation in a 350 km area from Mudkhed to Manmad.
Introduction:
In a major step towards Indian Railway’s safety modernization goals, South Central Railway (SCR) has awarded HBL Engineering Limited with two significant contracts related to the indigenous Kavach (Train Collision Avoidance System) technology.
Kavach Implementation on Vijayawada–Ballarshah Section:
The first contract includes the provision of the Kavach system across the Vijayawada to Ballarshah section, spanning a total length of 446 kilometers. With a contract worth Rs. 132.95 crores, this project will improve safety across the key corridors.
Contract Details:
- Total Contract Value- Rs. 132.95 Crores
- Section Covered- Vijayawada – Ballarshah
- Track Length- 446 kilometers
- Stations Covered- 48
- Locomotives Equipped- 10
- Timeline for Completion- 18 months
The scope of work involves installing the Kavach system at 48 stations and integrating it with 10 locomotives operating within this crucial corridor. This step will significantly improve operational safety and prevent collisions by enabling automatic braking and real-time communication between trains and track infrastructure.
Kavach Version 4.0 Upgradation on Mudkhed–Manmad Section:
The second contract consists of upgrading the existing Kavach Version 3.2 to the latest Version 4.0 over the Mudkhed (including) to Manmad (excluding) section, spanning a distance of 350 kilometers. This Rs. 30.67 crores contract is to be executed over a 24-month period.
Contract Details:
- Contract Value- Rs. 30.67 Crores
- Section Covered- Mudkhed – Manmad
- Track Length for Upgradation- 350 kilometers
- Timeline for Completion- 24 months
The upgradation from version 3.2 to Version 4.0 will show improvement in performance, integrating better features such as Temporary Speed Restriction Management Systems (TSRMS), more reliable communication modules, and enhanced safety logic algorithms. This is part of Indian Railway’s ongoing strategy to change all Kavach deployments to the latest specifications.
Conclusion:
These twin contracts awarded to HBL Engineering Limited show the government’s continuous focus on railway safety. With over 796 kilometers of track to be newly equipped or upgraded with Kavach, South Central Railway is taking crucial steps toward achieving a fully modern, safe, and tech-enabled rail network in India.
Source: HBL – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Southern Railway
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