Punjab's Bathinda Rail Route to get Kavach Safety System under Rs 206-Crore Railways project
Bathinda (Punjab), July 10, 2026 (ANI): In a significant boost to rail safety and operational efficiency for Punjab, Indian Railways has approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, on the Shakurbasti-Bathinda rail section as part of a ₹206-crore project.
The project also covers the Rewari-Delhi section and feeder branch lines under the Delhi Division of Northern Railway, spanning 680 route kilometres (RKm).
The Ministry of Railways said the project is part of Indian Railways' nationwide rollout of Kavach, aimed at enhancing safety on high-density and strategically important routes.
For Punjab, the inclusion of the Bathinda section is significant as Bathinda is one of the Northern Railway's key junctions, handling substantial passenger and freight traffic. The deployment of Kavach is expected to improve operational reliability and strengthen safety on the route connecting Punjab with the national capital.
Kavach is an indigenously developed train protection system designed to prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents and train collisions. The technology continuously monitors train movements and automatically applies brakes whenever required.
It also enables trains to operate safely at permissible speeds even during adverse weather conditions such as dense fog, a recurring challenge affecting rail services in Punjab during winter.
According to the ministry, the advanced safety system will enhance operational efficiency, improve the reliability of train services and facilitate faster, technology-driven movement of both passenger and freight trains.
The deployment is expected to benefit commuters travelling between Punjab and Delhi while also supporting smoother transportation of agricultural produce and industrial goods through one of the region's busiest rail corridors.
In a separate development, Indian Railways has also approved a ₹175-crore project to strengthen locomotive maintenance infrastructure by creating additional homing facilities for 250 three-phase electric locomotives at the High Horse Power (HHP) Diesel Shed in Raipur under the South East Central Railway (SECR).