Kernex Microsystems Kavach 4.0 wins ₹475 cr CLW order

Commissioning update on North Central Railway

Kernex Microsystems (India) said its company-built Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on the 207 km Tundla-Panki Dham section of the North Central Railway. Indian Railways has reported that the upgraded Kavach Version 4.0 supports train operations at speeds of up to 130 kmph on this newly commissioned 207 route kilometres. The commissioning adds to the North Central Railway’s expanding rollout of Kavach 4.0, a key safety and signalling modernisation programme.

The company said the total Kavach Version 4.0 coverage in the North Central Railway has increased to 652 route kilometres. Of this, 572 route kilometres have been executed by Kernex. The update positions Kernex as a major executing agency for Kavach 4.0 deployment on this zone.

Speed capability demonstration at 160 kmph

Beyond the commissioned 130 kmph operations, Kernex said the Kavach Version 4.0 system executed by it has successfully demonstrated support for train operations at speeds of up to 160 kmph. The demonstration was carried out over an executed section of 175 route kilometres. Kernex said this showcases readiness to support India’s high-speed rail modernisation vision.

The company’s statement separates the commissioned section supporting operations up to 130 kmph from the 160 kmph demonstration conducted on a 175 route kilometre executed section. Both disclosures are linked to Kavach 4.0 capability and validation on the ground.

Trial runs and operational validation

Kernex said the commissioning involved successful trial runs using the Kanpur Shatabdi Express and the Sikkim Mahananda Express equipped with the Kernex-built Kavach system. The trial runs were part of the commissioning process and were cited as evidence of operational readiness on the corridor.

The company also reported successful integration with the Hitachi Electronic Interlocking System without any operational issues. This, it said, demonstrates robustness and interoperability of its indigenous Kavach solution.

Scope of works: stations, locos, RFID, towers, fibre

Kernex outlined major on-ground elements delivered as part of the project. The scope includes Kavach installations at 39 stations. It also includes commissioning of 10 WAP-7 locomotives.

The project also involved installation of more than 4,600 RFID tags, construction of 17 communication towers, laying of 48-core optical fibre cable, and establishment of 30 dedicated equipment rooms. These components indicate the blend of onboard, trackside, and communication infrastructure needed for Kavach implementation.

Testing, approvals, and safety assessment

Before commissioning, Kernex said the system underwent extensive testing and validation by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and North Central Railway. The system also underwent Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) by Italcertifier, Italy.

Such validation steps are central to commissioning safety systems on active railway routes, especially where higher operational speeds are involved.

Another NCR milestone: Prayagraj–Kanpur section commissioning

Separately, a milestone was reported for the North Central Railway with commissioning of KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System) 4.0 over the Prayagraj (Ex.) – Kanpur (Ex.) section spanning 190 route km. The commissioning was marked by the presence of the General Manager and PHODs by boarding the first KAVACH-fitted passenger train 14163 Sangam Express from Subedarganj station.

The section was described as unique for being the first deployment of KAVACH 4.0 by Kernex and for direct interfacing of KAVACH with four different Electronic Interlockings: Hitachi, Medha, Kyosan, and Siemens. The commissioning supports operations up to 130 kmph with onboard KAVACH systems fitted in WAP-7 locomotives and Vande Bharat (Train 18).

Order wins: CLW contract of ₹475.21 crore and execution timeline

On the business side, Kernex Microsystems (India) Ltd reported that it secured a railway safety contract worth ₹475.21 crore from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW). In a regulatory filing, the company said CLW awarded it a contract for supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of on-board Kavach locomotive equipment in accordance with RDSO Specification No. RDSO/SPN/196/2020 Version 4.0 or the latest applicable version.

The contract is scheduled to be executed within 12 months from the date of award. Following the announcement, Kernex Microsystems (India) advanced 2.48% to ₹1,521.55, as reported.

Other reported contracts and pipeline disclosures

Multiple other Kavach orders linked to Kernex were cited. The company was reported to have secured a contract worth ₹2,041 crore from CLW for installation of 2,500 onboard Kavach safety systems, with completion slated for the end of 2025.

Another report said Kernex won a contract worth ₹2,466.00 crore (reported as ₹24.66 billion) from CLW on January 15, 2026, involving supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 3,024 sets of onboard KAVACH loco equipment, to be completed in 12 months. A separate disclosure also cited an order from CLW valued at ₹2,465.71 crore for 3,024 sets, with execution within 12 months from the purchase order date.

Kernex was also reported to have won a ₹67.53 crore contract from the PCMM Office Patiala for supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board KAVACH locomotive equipment, with completion scheduled by April 15, 2027. In addition, Kernex reported an order from Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) valued at ₹209.82 crore (inclusive of GST) for survey, design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of Kavach along a 931-km double-line section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, to be completed within 730 days of the Letter of Acceptance. Kernex said this order lifted its total project pipeline to ₹3,346.35 crore (including GST) for contracts awarded since April 1, 2024.

Consortium and upgrade projects

A JV update stated that KERNEX-VRRC JV bagged an order for upgradation of Kavach Version 3.2 to 4.0 in the Sadashivpet Road (Excluding) – Bidar – Parli Vaijnath – Parbhani (Excluding) section of South Central Railway for ₹21.03 crore.

Separately, Kernex Microsystems and KEC International formed a consortium and secured two contracts with a combined value of approximately ₹536 crore for the North Central Railway section covering a total distance of 751.22 route km. Another consortium order was cited for provision of KAVACH along with towers and 4x48 fibre OFC backbone on the Bhuteshwar (Incl) – Dholpur (Incl) section in NCR valued at approximately ₹85.14 crore.

Key facts at a glance

Market impact and why it matters

The Kavach commissioning updates matter because they combine route-scale deployment, operational speed support, and system integration with existing electronic interlocking infrastructure. The Tundla-Panki Dham commissioning expands the route kilometres in active use, while the 160 kmph demonstration over 175 route kilometres is presented as a proof point on performance capability.

On the order flow, the ₹475.21 crore CLW contract and the other reported awards across CLW, DFCCIL, and zonal railway offices show that a material portion of Kernex’s current opportunity set is tied to the rollout of RDSO SPN/196/2020 Version 4.0 compliant equipment. The reported price move to ₹1,521.55 after the CLW announcement also indicates the market’s sensitivity to confirmed order inflows.

Conclusion

Kernex Microsystems’ latest disclosures combine an operational milestone, with Kavach 4.0 commissioned on the 207 km Tundla-Panki Dham section, and a fresh order announcement from CLW worth ₹475.21 crore. The company has also cited wider project activity across Indian Railways and DFCCIL, including a reported pipeline of ₹3,346.35 crore (including GST) for contracts awarded since April 1, 2024. Execution timelines referenced in the disclosures include 12 months for the CLW contract and 730 days for the DFCCIL corridor deployment, which will be key milestones to track in future updates.