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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1666
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026
IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI COLLISION SYSTEM (KAVACH) IN GONDA
DISTRICT
1666. SHRI KARAN BHUSHAN SINGH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the current status on establishment of Anti Collision Systems like
Kavach in trains that originate from/stop by Gonda district along with
the details of breakdown of trains with and without anti-collision
systems including passenger trains, freight trains and others, category-
wise;
(b) the total funds allocated and utilised in last two financial years for the
installation of Kavach in these trains, year-wise;
(c) whether any accident/casualties occurred due to lack of anti collision
systems;
(d) if so, the details of each victim and the amount of compensation
provided; and
(e) the estimated time fixed for the completion of the installation of
Kavach?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): 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.
§ Page 1 of 10Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table
below:-
Year Consequential Accidents
2014-15 135
2025-26 16 (88% lesser)
2026-27 ( upto June 2026) 2
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 Index
2014-15 0.11
2025-26 0.01 ( 91% lesser)
This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total
running kilometers of all trains.
No. of consequential accidents
Accident Index =
No. of trains X million kilometers runThe 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:-
Expenditure/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 6,671 stations up to
30.06.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,395
Level Crossing Gates up to 30.06.2026 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 6,671
stations up to 30.06.2026.
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.
Page 3 of 108. 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.
9. 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.
Page 4 of 1019. 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.
20. 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
Page 5 of 10planned up to 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as
per plan.
The 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 2014-26 Vs.
SN Item
2013-14 2025-26 2004-14
Technological Improvements
1. Use of high-quality 57,450 Km 1.63 Lakh Km More than
rails (60 Kg) (Km) 2.8 times
2. Longer Rail Panels 9,917 Km 87,219 Km Nearly 9
(260m) (Km) times
3. Electronic 837 3,691 Stations More than 4
Interlocking (Stations) Stations times
4. Fog Pass Safety As on As on 31.03.26: 352 times
Devices (Nos.) 31.03.14: 31,693 Nos.
90 Nos.
5. Thick Web Switches Nil 35,971 Nos.
(Nos.)
Better Maintenance Practices
1. Primary Rail Renewal 32,260 Km 57,583 Km 1.78 times
(Track Km)
2. USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw 79.43 Lakh 2.25 Crore More than
detection) Testing of 2.8 times
Welds (Nos.)
3. Weld failures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 93 %
3,699 Nos. 272 Nos. reduction
4. Rail fractures (Nos.) In 2013-14: In 2025-26: 92%
2,548 Nos. 208 Nos. reduction
Page 6 of 10Better Infrastructure and Rolling Stock
1. New Track KM added 14,985 Km 36,429 Km Almost 2.5
(Track Km) times
2. Flyovers 4,148 Nos. 14,362 Nos. More than 3
(RoBs)/Underpasses times
(RUBs) (Nos.)
3. Unmanned Level As on As on 31.03.26: Removed
crossings (Nos.) on 31.03.14: Nil
BG 8,948 (All eliminated by
31.01.19)
4. Manufacture of LHB 2,337 Nos. 49,366 More than
Coaches (Nos.) 21 times
Kavach Implementation
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.
Page 7 of 10b. 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.
6. Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1,465 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 2,569 Route Kilometres as on 20.07.26,
covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as
below:
SN Section Progress (Route
Km)
(1) Delhi-Mumbai route: 1,423 Rkm
Page 8 of 10i Tilak Bridge - Junction cabin – Palwal – 1,327
Mathura-Kota —Nagda-Ratlam –Vadodra-Virar
section
ii Vadodara – Ahmedabad section 96
(2) Delhi – Howrah route: 1,146 Rkm
i. Chipyana - Tundla - Kanpur - Subedarganj 563
section
ii. Kanpur – Lucknow section 71
iii. DDU(FOC)-Bhabua Road section 50
iv. Sasaram - Pheser section 43
v. Gaya -Sarmatarn- Nimiaghat section 159
vi. Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260
10. In addition, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up
on 21,858 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of
Indian Railways including sections (Lucknow – Gonda – Gorakhpur –
Chhapra, Burhwal - Sitapur sections) passing through Gonda District.
11. The total Progress of key items of Kavach on Indian Railway sections
are as under:-
SN Item Progress
i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 11,253 Km
ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1,668 Nos.
iii Station Data Centre 988 station
iv Installation of Track side equipment 7,726 RKm
v Provision of Kavach in Loco 6,153 Nos.
Page 9 of 1012. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 7,327 Locomotives and
1,200 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 94,000 technicians,
operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This
includes about 57,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses
have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
14. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Jun'26 is Rs. 3,874
Crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2026-27 is Rs. 2,066
Crores. Kavach work is going at good pace in the entire country.
Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.
Accidents victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or
untoward incident. Compensation for death and injury of railway
passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents, as defined
under Section 124 and Section 124-A (read with Section 123) of the
Railways Act, 1989, is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the
basis of a claim application filed by the victims/their dependents
before RCT and it disposes of the cases after following the due judicial
process. Railway Administration pays compensation when a decree is
awarded by Hon’ble RCT in favour of the claimant and Railways decide
to implement the decree. Compensation is paid within 30 days after
the receipt of judgment. Compensation amount is over and above the
ex-gratia amount.
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