South Central Railway floats tenders for ‘Kavach’ in four more sections

South Central Railway (SCR) enhancing infrastructure with Kavach & LTE technology, achieving 100% electrification, and improving track maintenance and revenue.

South Central Railway (SCR) has called tenders for the execution of advanced infrastructure works in a high-density network for implementation of ‘Kavach’ – indigenous automatic train protection system and LTE – Long-term evolution communication technology in sections like Balharshah – Vijayawada, Vijayawada – Duvvada, Vijayawada – Gudur, Wadi – Guntakal – Renigunta, to enhance section capacity and improved mobility, informed General Manager Arun Kumar Jain on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

He was addressing railway officials and personnel after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of Republic Day. Kavach has been implemented for a distance of 1,465 km within the zone and it has been a pioneer in adopting the technology, developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with local industry.

The GM said automatic block signalling has been commissioned for 156 route km in the current financial year with 45 route km of Secunderabad and Vijayawada division commissioned in a single day. About 10 Level crossing gates were interlocked, 18 gates were provided with sliding booms and 26 LC gates were converted to electrically operated lifting barriers. In addition, 21 electronic interlocking systems were commissioned during the period.

Mr. Jain said the zone has achieved 100% electrification except for the new line projects in progress. Total electrification for the existing lines was completed once the 31 km Khanapur and Nandagaon stations section in Bidar – Kalaburagi section and 17 km of the newly constructed Akanapet – Medak rail line was done.

About 16 km of new lines, 31 km of doubling and 107 km of tripling were laid including 37 km of tripling between Hasanparti Road -Kazipet - Warangal stations, first of its kind across the zone A Rail Under Rail between Hasanparti Road – Kazipet involving eight major and 52 minor bridges has been commissioned, he said.

The GM disclosed that till December gross originating revenue of ₹14,991 crore has been achieved including passenger revenue of ₹4,268 crore and freight revenue of ₹10,011 crore. Freight loading 102.8 million tonnes and 197 million passengers were carried during the period from April. With a special focus on the provision of facilities for the disabled, 26 lifts and 11 escalators have been commissioned at various stations, totalling to 187 lifts and 85 escalators in the zone.

SCR has also commissioned 1,791 kWp rooftop solar panels at various rail locations during the year, 91 trains shifted to electric traction from diesel traction, and 16 trains were converted from power cars to overhead line traction resulting in savings of around ₹250 crore per year.