The Central Railway has become the first zone in Indian Railways to award Automatic Train Protection (ATP) contracts to bring its entire network under the indigenous KAVACH safety system. This milestone was announced by General Manager Dharam Veer Meena during the Independence Day celebrations held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Friday. According to sources, the work is expected to be completed within the next two to three years.
Safety Upgrades Across the Board
“In our continuous commitment to passenger safety, we have also installed CCTV cameras in all coaches, including suburban trains,” Meena said. “Further, talk-back systems have been provided in all ladies' compartments of EMU rakes to ensure direct communication with the train crew in case of emergencies,” Meena stated, speaking on the occasion.
Infrastructure Growth and Green Push
Highlighting Central Railway’s achievements on the infrastructure front, Meena announced the commissioning of 245 kilometers of new lines, doubling, and multitracking works in the current fiscal year. Additionally, 193 kilometers of railway electrification have been completed, significantly boosting capacity and supporting the network's green transition.
The General Manager also noted a steady increase in the zone’s earnings, reflecting robust financial performance and Central Railway’s expanding role in the country’s infrastructure landscape.
Digital Transformation with RailOne App
Underlining the zone’s focus on digital transformation, Meena announced the successful rollout of the RailOne App, a unified digital platform developed by the Ministry of Railways. The app offers a one-stop solution for various passenger services, including ticket booking, inquiries, and grievance redressal.
Simultaneously, the 79th Independence Day was celebrated at the Western Railway headquarters in Churchgate, where General Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta addressed railway staff after hoisting the national flag.
Western Railway Implements KAVACH 4.0
On this occasion, Gupta also emphasized the zone’s strides in train safety through the deployment of KAVACH 4.0, the latest version of the indigenous ATP system. The technology is being implemented over 735 kilometers of railway network and in 90 locomotives across the Virar–Vadodara–Ahmedabad and Vadodara–Nagda sections.
Successful Loco Trials Under Mission Raftaar
“The loco trials on the stretch have been successfully completed,” Gupta stated. “These efforts have contributed to increasing the average speed of trains, bringing us closer to our goals under Mission Raftaar.”
