Parliament Question: Expansion of Kavach 4.0 for prevention of Railway Accidents

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 EXPANSION OF KAVACH 4.0 FOR PREVENTION OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS 5393. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the indigenous 'Kavach 4.0' safety system has been successfully commissioned on over 1,300 route kilometers as of January 2026 and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the timeline for covering the remaining parts of the High- Density Network (HDN) under this anti-collision framework; and (c) the details of the safety fund allocation in the 2026-27 budget for the complete elimination of human-error-based accidents? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (c): 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) § Page 1 of 10Another 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 Index 2014-15 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 = 234 165 135 55 31 14 2005-06 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2025-26 (Feb 2026) The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:- 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:- stnediccA niarT laitneuqesnoC fo .oN No. of consequential accidents No. of trains X million kilometers runExpenditure/Budget on Safety related activities Year (Rs. in Cr.) 2013-14 39,200 2022-23 87,336 2023-24 1,01,662 2024-25 1,14,022 2025-26 1,17,693 2026-27 1,20,389 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Signalling, e.g. mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol, preparation of completion drawing, etc. have been issued. 6. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized. 7. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots. 8. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to alert the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather. Page 3 of 109. A GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots in fog affected areas which enables loco pilots to know the distance of the approaching landmarks like signals, level crossing gates, etc. 10. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with elastic fastening, fan shaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track renewals. 11. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors. 12. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety. 13. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails. 14. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e., Flash Butt Welding. 15. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars). 16. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures. 17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works. 18. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. 19. Web based online monitoring system of track assets viz. Track database and decision support system has been adopted to decide rationalized maintenance requirement and optimize inputs. Page 4 of 1020. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track, e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued. 21. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is undertaken to ensure safe train operations. 22. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done. 23. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019. 24. Safety of Railway Bridges is ensured through regular inspection of Bridges. The requirement of repair/rehabilitation of Bridges is taken up based upon the conditions assessed during these inspections. 25. Indian Railways has displayed Statutory “Fire Notices” for widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are provided in every coach so as to educate and alert passengers regarding various Do’s and Don’ts to prevent fire. These include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc. 26. Production Units are providing Fire detection and suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and Smoke detection system in newly manufactured coaches. Progressive fitment of the same in existing coaches is also underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner. 27. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken. 28. Concept of Rolling Block introduced in Indian Railways (Open Lines) General Rules vide Gazette notification dated 30.11.2023, wherein work of integrated maintenance/ repair/replacement of assets is planned up to 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan. Page 5 of 10The details of the Safety related works related to better maintenance practices, Technological improvements, better infrastructure and rolling stock etc. undertaken by Railways are tabulated below:- 2004-05 to 2014-15 to 2024- 2014-25 Vs. S.N. Item 2013-14 25 2004-14 Technological Improvements 1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.43 Lakh Km More than 2 rails (60 Kg) (Km) times 2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 77,522 Km Nearly 8 (260m) (Km) times 3. Electronic 837 3,691 Stations More than 4 Interlocking (Stations) Stations times 4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.25: 288 times Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 25,939 Nos. 90 Nos. 5. Thick Web Switches Nil 28,301 Nos. (Nos.) Better Maintenance Practices 1. Primary Rail Renewal 32,260 Km 49,941 Km 1.5 times (Track Km) 2. USFD (Ultra Sonic 79.43 Lakh 2 Crore More than 2 Flaw detection) times Testing of Welds (Nos.) 3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: 90 % 3699 Nos. 370 Nos. reduction 4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2024-25: More than 2548 Nos. 289 Nos. 88% reduction Page 6 of 10Better Infrastructure and Rolling stock 1. New Track KM added 14,985 Km 34,428 Km More than 2 (Track Km) times 2. Flyovers 4,148 Nos. 13,808 Nos. More than 3 (RoBs)/Underpasses times (RUBs) (Nos.) 3. Unmanned Level As on As on Removed crossings 31.03.14: 31.03.24:Nil (Nos.) on BG 8,948 (All eliminated by 31.01.19) 4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 42,677 More than Coaches (Nos.) 18 times Implementation of 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: Page 7 of 10i. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section. ii. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length. iii. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section. iv. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track. v. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways. 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: SN Section Progress (Route Km) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: i Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura – 667 Page 8 of 10Nagda section ii Vadodara - Ahmedabad section 96 iii Vadodara - Virar section 336 (2) Delhi – Howrah route: i Gaya Sarmatanr section 93 ii Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah 260 section 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 14.03.2026 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 6776 RKm equipment v Provision of Kavach in Loco 4211 nos 12. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 8979 Locomotives and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up. 13. 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. Page 9 of 1014. 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. 15. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Feb'26 is Rs. 2,763.90 cr. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works. 16. Further, the Budget allocated for Signalling & Telecom work including Kavach for the year 2026-27 is Rs. 7500 cr. ***** Page 10 of 10