India Unveils KAVACH 4.0: Indigenous Next-Gen Train Protection System Set for Nationwide Rollout by 2027

India is on the verge of a railway safety revolution with the launch of KAVACH 4.0, a next-generation train protection system developed entirely in India. Bengaluru-based Nova Control Tecnologix Pvt Ltd aims to roll it out nationwide by early 2027.

Vinay Rao, Chairman of e2E Rail, told UNI that Nova has applied to the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) and is deep in testing and validation.

"Approvals, field trials, and mass production setup will be completed within the next year, aiming for full integration on railway tracks by early 2027," he said, stressing that the system could prevent countless avoidable train accidents.

KAVACH 4.0 is 100% Made in India. Trackside units, RFID tags, communication towers, and onboard locomotive modules are networked securely with existing signalling systems. Each installation undergoes rigorous testing before being commissioned for live operations, Rao said.

India's rail network spans nearly 100,000 kilometres, yet less than 10% has been tendered for KAVACH implementation, leaving over 90% untapped. Private yards, ports, coal mines, steel plants, and international markets could also benefit once the system is proven, Rao said.

The system includes 5G communication, enhanced cybersecurity, and improved interoperability with future systems, making it future-ready for at least 20 years. Rao called it "not just a product, but a mission to ensure that no life is ever lost due to a preventable train accident."

Karnataka has been central to the project. Bengaluru's skilled workforce, institutional support, and partnerships with Tata Elxsi have made this homegrown innovation possible. Rao said, "With Nova, we are igniting a new era of technological self-reliance for India's railways."

The Indian Railways signalling and safety modernisation plan is valued at over ₹1.5 lakh crore. Early installations of KAVACH 4.0 are expected to reduce train accidents within a few years, with nationwide rollout gradually covering the network.

KAVACH 4.0 is not just technology—it is India's pledge to its citizens, a bold statement that Bengaluru is emerging as the safety capital of Indian railways.