Indian Railways has approved two infrastructure projects worth ₹381 crore to strengthen railway safety and expand electric locomotive maintenance capacity, as part of its ongoing efforts to modernise the national rail network and improve operational efficiency.
The larger of the two projects involves the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0, India's indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, on 680 route kilometres of the Rewari-Delhi and Shakurbasti-Bathinda sections, including feeder branch lines, under the Delhi Division of Northern Railway. The project has been approved at a cost of ₹206 crore.
According to the Ministry of Railways, Kavach is designed to prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents and train collisions by automatically controlling train movement when required. The latest expansion forms part of the nationwide rollout of the indigenous safety system across high-density and strategically important rail corridors.
The ministry said the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 is expected to improve railway safety, enhance operational efficiency and support faster, technology-driven movement of passenger and freight trains.
Hydrogen train service gets green signal
In another major development, the Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of India's first daily hydrogen-powered train service on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana.
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The 10-coach hydrogen fuel cell train is expected to begin operations soon and will run at a maximum speed of 75 kmph using a 1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. Hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity using hydrogen, with water vapour as the only emission, making it a clean alternative to conventional diesel-powered trains.
To support the project, Indian Railways has established an indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind, while the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has granted the necessary licence for hydrogen storage and dispensing.
Raipur to get expanded locomotive facilities
Separately, Indian Railways has approved ₹175 crore for creating additional homing facilities for 250 three-phase electric locomotives at the High Horse Power Diesel Shed in Raipur under South East Central Railway. The project aims to strengthen maintenance infrastructure, improve asset utilisation and support the rapidly expanding electric locomotive fleet.
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