BHEL bags First Order to install KAVACH Train Protection System for Indian Railways

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant move to boost railway safety and indigenous technology adoption, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured its first-ever order to install the KAVACH Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for Indian Railways, valued at ₹22.9 crore. The order was awarded for the South Western Railway zone, covering a 36 km section in Bengaluru.

This milestone marks BHEL’s entry into India’s critical railway signalling and safety systems domain, further diversifying its longstanding association with Indian Railways.

First Step into Train Safety Segment

Awarded by the Ministry of Railways, the contract includes the design, development, supply, installation, trial, and commissioning of:

• On-board KAVACH equipment for locomotives

• Trackside installations at level crossings, stations, and signalling points

The work will be carried out in the South Western Railway’s Bengaluru Division, and the equipment will be manufactured at BHEL’s Bengaluru facility.

KAVACH, developed under Make in India, is an indigenously built Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to:

• Prevent train collisions

• Enforce speed restrictions

• Improve driver visibility and operational safety

• Enable real-time signal bypass prevention

BHEL’s Evolving Role in Indian Railways

While BHEL is already a key supplier of:

• Locomotives

• Traction motors and alternators

• Propulsion systems for EMUs/MEMUs

• Traction transformers

This new contract marks BHEL’s first foray into signalling and ATP systems, reinforcing its technology leadership in the railway sector.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, commended the development, “This KAVACH order reflects the evolving role of Indian PSUs in advanced rail safety systems. It’s encouraging to see a domestic engineering giant like BHEL stepping into this high-impact domain.”

Boost to Rail Safety Modernization

The government has identified KAVACH as a mission-critical safety upgrade, with plans to cover over 35,000 km of railway routes in a phased manner. BHEL’s successful execution of this project will likely pave the way for larger orders across multiple zones.

As part of its rail diversification, BHEL is also:

• Leading the Vande Bharat train consortium, tasked with delivering 80 next-generation trainsets

• Involved in maintenance and depot management under the same project

• Upgrading rolling stock with smart propulsion and electrification systems

Industry Significance

• This order validates BHEL’s technical competence in high-sensitivity, safety-critical applications.

• It also aligns with the national agenda of reducing reliance on foreign signalling systems and promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat in rail technologies.

BHEL’s maiden KAVACH order represents more than a ₹22.9 crore contract—it signals the PSU’s strategic entry into the high-priority railway signalling and safety segment, positioning it as a key player in India’s journey toward safer, smarter, and self-reliant railways. As implementation begins in Bengaluru, this project could become a launchpad for larger national deployments, strengthening India’s rail safety architecture for the future.