SWR successfully conducts Standard KAVACH field trials on key Bengaluru Division routes

Published 8 July 2026 · local

South Western Railway (SWR) has successfully conducted field trials of the Standard KAVACH Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system across key sections of the Bengaluru Division

South Western Railway (SWR) has successfully conducted field trials of the Standard KAVACH Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system across key sections of the Bengaluru Division, a step towards improving train safety and operational efficiency, according to SWR. This comes as the railway zone prepares to expand the indigenous safety system across its 3,692 route kilometre (RKM) network in a phased manner. According to officials, the trials and commissioning of Standard KAVACH were completed on the 98-RKM Tumakuru–Arsikere section on June 30. This was followed by field trials on the 8-km Malur–Devanakunti block section on July 1, and the 12-km Mulanur–Kuppam block section on July 4. The latter two sections form part of the 122-RKM Whitefield–Jolarpettai route under the Bengaluru Division. “KAVACH is an indigenously developed automatic train protection system designed to prevent collisions and enhance operational safety.

In its standard configuration, the system functions as an electronic watchdog that intervenes during critical situations by preventing Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), avoiding head-on and rear-end collisions, providing cab signalling, and enforcing maximum permissible speed limits,” a senior official told The Hindu. Improve safety According to SWR, the commissioning of Standard KAVACH will substantially improve safety on these sections, protecting trains in the event of unusual stoppages within a block section, generating manual SOS alerts to warn approaching trains, and preventing train rollback on gradients. The official said that the Full Supervision (FS) Mode represents the most advanced version of KAVACH. “Under this mode, the system continuously monitors and controls train movement, provides real-time movement authority, dynamically calculates braking curves based on train and track conditions, and ensures precise speed regulation. In case of communication failure, the system safely shifts to restricted or limited supervision modes,” official explained.

SWR has also outlined its immediate expansion plans for the system. Standard KAVACH is scheduled to be implemented on the 159-RKM Yelahanka–Dharmavaram section and the 137-RKM Bengaluru–Mysuru section by July 2026. The 163-RKM Bengaluru–Dharmapuri Junction section is expected to be covered by August 2026. According to SWR officials, the zone has adopted a phased approach to implement KAVACH across its entire 3,692-RKM network. Phase 1 covers 1,568 RKM on high-density and critical routes at an estimated cost of ₹628.63 crore. This includes 790 RKM in the Hubballi and Mysuru divisions at a cost of ₹261.88 crore and 778 RKM in the Bengaluru and Mysuru divisions costing ₹253.56 crore. Key routes under this phase include Hubballi–Ballari, Haveri–Hubballi–Londa, Londa–Miraj, Haveri–Arsikere, Arsikere–Yeshwantpur, Baiyappanahalli–Dharmavaram, Bengaluru–Jolarpettai, Bengaluru–Mysuru, and Bengaluru–Yeshwantpur–Dharmapuri. Phase 2 will extend KAVACH to the remaining 2,124 RKM. This includes 456 RKM in the Bengaluru Division at a cost of ₹270.70 crore, covering sections such as Penukonda–Dharmavaram, Omlur–Dharmapuri and Yelahanka–Bangarapet.