**Executive Summary**
This report details the successful commissioning of Kavach 4.0, an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, on 1,452 Route Km of high-density Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. This milestone is part of a broader implementation of trackside Kavach across 24,427 Rkm of Indian Railways. Expenditure on safety-related activities has significantly increased, with a projected Rs. 1,20,389 Crore by 2026-27. Key deadlines and progress points are provided, including ongoing training and infrastructure deployment.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Kavach System Overview**
* Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system requiring SIL-4 safety certification.
* It assists Loco Pilots by automatically applying brakes to maintain speed limits and ensures safe operation in inclement weather.
* Field trials commenced in February 2016, with three firms approved for Kavach Ver 3.2 in 2018-19.
* Kavach was adopted as the National ATP system in July 2020.
**Kavach Implementation Activities**
* Installation of Station Kavach at all stations and block sections.
* Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
* Installation of telecom Towers across sections.
* Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
* Provision of Loco Kavach on every locomotive.
**Kavach Version 4.0 Deployment and Improvements**
* Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on July 16, 2024, following improvements based on experience with version 3.2.
* Version 4.0 enhances location accuracy, improves signal aspect information in yards, and integrates with station systems and electronic interlocking.
* Kavach 4.0 has been commissioned on 1,452 Route Km, specifically on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes.
* Trackside Kavach implementation is underway on 24,427 Rkm, covering Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, High Density Network, and identified sections.
* As of February 28, 2026, key infrastructure deployed includes 8,570 Km of Optical Fibre Cable, 1,100 Telecom Towers, and 6,776 Rkm of trackside equipment.
**Safety Enhancements and Expenditure**
* Expenditure on safety-related activities has increased significantly, from Rs. 39,200 Crore in 2013-14 to a projected Rs. 1,20,389 Crore in 2026-27.
* The number of consequential train accidents has reduced by 90% between 2014-15 (135 accidents) and 2025-26 (14 accidents).
* The Consequential Accident Index has decreased by 73% from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25.
* Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems have been provided at 6,665 stations.
* Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates has been implemented at 10,153 locations.
* Complete Track Circuiting has been provided at 6,669 stations.
**Training and Costs**
* Specialized training programs have trained over 55,000 personnel, including 47,500 Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots.
* The cost for trackside and station equipment is approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km, and for locomotive equipment, it's approximately Rs. 80 Lakhs/Loco.
* Funds utilized for Kavach works up to February 2026 amount to Rs. 2,763.90 Crores.
**Impact Analysis**
**Loco Pilots and Train Operators**
* **Impact:** Kavach 4.0 provides enhanced safety by automatically applying brakes and assisting in maintaining speed limits, reducing the risk of human error, especially in adverse weather.
* **Action Required:** Continue to operate trains within specified limits and rely on the Kavach system for safety interventions.
**Indian Railways Infrastructure and Operations**
* **Impact:** Significant investment in infrastructure (optical fiber, towers, trackside equipment, station data centers) and ongoing deployment of Kavach across extensive rail networks are improving operational safety and efficiency.
* **Action Required:** Continue with the planned implementation of Kavach, including installation of equipment and ongoing maintenance.
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** Increased expenditure on safety measures demonstrates a commitment to enhancing railway safety, leading to a significant reduction in accidents and improved safety indices.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor progress, allocate necessary funds, and ensure the effective implementation of safety initiatives.
**Passengers and Freight Customers**
* **Impact:** Reduced train accidents and improved safety contribute to more reliable and secure train travel and freight transportation.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but benefit from enhanced safety measures.
Key Entities Referenced
Kavach: An indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for Indian Railways, designed to enhance safety by automatically applying brakes and aiding train operation in inclement weather.
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, for which the Kavach system is being implemented and its safety measures are being detailed.
Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah Routes: Key high-density railway corridors where the Kavach system has been commissioned and is being implemented.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, who provided information regarding the Kavach system and safety measures.
RDSO: Research Designs and Standards Organisation, which approved the Kavach specification version 4.0.
Ministry of Railways
Kavach 4.0 Successfully Commissioned on 1,452
Route Km Covering High-Density Delhi–Mumbai
and Delhi–Howrah Routes
8,570 Km Optical Fiber Cable Laid, 1,100 Towers & 6,776
RKm Trackside Equipment Installed, and 767 Station Data
Centers Set Up to Strengthen Railway Infrastructure: Shri
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Trackside Kavach Implementation Taken Up on 24,427 Rkm
Covering All Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, High
Density Network and Identified Sections of Indian Railways
Expenditure on Safety Related Activities on Indian Railways
Increased Over 3 Times, From Rs. 39,200 Crore In 2013–14 to
Rs. 1,20,389 Crore in 2026–27
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 6:14PM by PIB Delhi
Kavach:
1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is
a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order
(SIL-4).
2. Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic
application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely
during inclement weather.
3. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based on the
experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety
Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2.
4. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:
a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.
b. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
c. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.d. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
e. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.
वाइल्ड लाइफ सुरा के लए रल वे न े बहुत स े ेप लए ह। :माननीय रल मंी @AshwiniVaishnaw
जी pic.twitter.com/imDan2vK3M
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 11, 2026
6. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South Central Railway and
experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version
4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.
7. Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network.
This is a significant milestone in safety for Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has
developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System.
8. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy, Improved
Information of Signal Aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC
and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements,
Kavach Ver.4.0. is planned for large scale deployment over Indian Railways.
9. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully
commissioned on 1452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and
Delhi-Howrah routes as below:
S.No. Section Progress (Route Km)
1 Delhi-Mumbai route:
i) Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura –Nagda section 667
ii) Vadodara - Ahmedabad section 96
iii) Vadodara - Virar section 336
2 Delhi – Howrah route:
i) Gaya Sarmatanr section 93
ii) Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260
10. Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 RKM
covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.
11. Progress of key items of Kavach on High density routes including Delhi– Mumbai &
Delhi– Howrah corridors as on 28.02.26 are as under:SN Item Progress
i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 8570 Km
ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1100 nos
iii Station Data Centre 767 station
iv Installation of Track side equipment 6776 RKm
v Provision of Kavach in Loco 4154 nos
12. The sections mentioned above also includes sections which pass through states of Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh.
13. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 8979 Locomotives and 1200 EMU/MEMU
has been taken up.
14. Specialized training programmes on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training
institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than
55,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This
includes about 47,500 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in
collaboration with IRISET.
15. The cost for provision of Track Side including Station equipment of Kavach is
approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for provision of Kavach equipment on locomotives
is approximately Rs. 80 Lakh/Loco.
16. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Feb'26 is Rs. 2,763.90 Crores. The
allocation of funds during the year 2025-26 is Rs. 1673.19 Crores. Requisite funds are made
available as per the progress of works.
Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. As a consequence of various safety measures
taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents.
Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:-
Year Consequential Accidents
2014-15 135
2025-26 (upto 28.02.2026) 14 (90% lesser)
Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accident
Index, the details of which are as under:-
Consequential Accident Index:-
Year Accident Index2014-15 0.11
2024-25 0.03 (73% lesser)
This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains.
Accident Index = No. of consequential accidents / No. of trains X million kilometers run
The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:-
On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:-
Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)
2013-14 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27
39,200 87,336 1,01,662 1,14,022 1,17,693 1,20,389
Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have
been provided at 6,665 stations up to 28.02.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,153 Level Crossing Gates up to
28.02.2026 for enhancing safety at LC Gates.
Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by
electrical means has been provided at 6,669 stations up to 28.02.2026.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha
today.*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Ritu Raj
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