**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Railways provides an update on the implementation of Kavach 4.0, an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. As of July 31, 2026, the system has been commissioned on 2,633 Route Kilometres (RKm) across high-density corridors, with trackside work ongoing for an additional 21,794 RKm. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, Rs. 2,066 Crores has been allocated to continue the phased expansion, which includes critical sections in the South East Central Railway.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**System Features and Development**
* **Safety Standards:** Kavach is a technology-intensive system with the highest level of safety certification (SIL-4), designed to prevent over-speeding and ensure safe operations during inclement weather.
* **Version 4.0 Enhancements:** Approved on July 16, 2024, Version 4.0 improves location accuracy, signal aspect information in large yards, and features a direct interface with Electronic Interlocking Systems.
* **Automatic Functionality:** The system automatically applies brakes if the Loco Pilot fails to do so within specified speed limits.
**Implementation Progress (As of July 2026)**
* **Commissioned Routes:** 2,633 RKm are fully commissioned, covering major sections of the Delhi-Mumbai (1,423 RKm) and Delhi-Howrah (1,210 RKm) routes.
* **Infrastructure Status:** Completed works include 11,547 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laying, 1,721 telecom towers, and 1,009 Station Data Centres.
* **Equipment Installation:** 6,290 locomotives are currently equipped with Kavach, with ongoing work to outfit an additional 7,190 locomotives and 1,200 EMU/MEMU units.
* **Trackside Expansion:** Work is underway on 21,794 RKm covering Golden Quadrilateral (GQ), Golden Diagonal (GD), and High-Density Network (HDN) routes.
**Regional Focus: South East Central Railway (SECR)**
* **SECR Coverage:** 2,405 RKm passing through SECR are identified for implementation.
* **Chhattisgarh/Bastar Region:** The plan specifically includes the 43 RKm Bhanupratappu - Tadoki section in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
**Training and Finance**
* **Workforce Development:** Over 94,000 personnel, including 57,000 Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots, have completed specialized training at centralized institutes.
* **Funding:** A total of Rs. 3,875 Crores was utilized up to June 2026, with a dedicated budget of Rs. 2,066 Crores for the 2026-27 period.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Railways / RDSO**
**Impact:** Responsible for the design, safety certification, and phased rollout of the national ATP system.
**Action Required:** Ensure the timely allocation of the Rs. 2,066 Crores budget and oversee the large-scale deployment of Kavach 4.0 across the identified 21,794 RKm.
**South East Central Railway (SECR)**
**Impact:** A significant portion of the zone (2,405 RKm) is slated for Kavach installation, including critical sections in the Bastar region.
**Action Required:** Execute trackside implementation and infrastructure setup for the Bhanupratappu - Tadoki section and other identified routes.
**Loco Pilots and Technical Staff**
**Impact:** Required to operate and maintain high-technology ATP systems to ensure rail safety.
**Action Required:** Participate in specialized training programs designed by IRISET to gain proficiency in Kavach 4.0 technology and operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Kavach (Automatic Train Protection System): An indigenously developed, technology-intensive ATP system adopted as India's National ATP system to prevent train collisions and regulate speed.
Ministry of Railways: The primary central ministry responsible for the planning, funding, and nationwide implementation of the Kavach system.
Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO): The technical advisor and standard-setting body that developed and approved the Kavach 4.0 specifications.
South East Central Railway (SECR): The railway zone where Kavach implementation is being monitored, covering critical sections in Chhattisgarh and the Bastar region.
Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications (IRISET): The specialized training institute responsible for designing courses and training railway personnel on Kavach technology.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3929
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2026
IMPLEMENTATION OF KAVACH 4.0 ON SOUTH EAST CENTRAL RAILWAY
†3929. SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of 'Kavach
4.0, the indigenous automatic train protection system and if so, the route
and railway zone in kilometres covered, tracks fitted, locomotives
equipped and railway progress achieved so far, zone-wise;
(b) the time-line fixed for the implementation of Kavach 4.0 during the year
2026-27 across railway zones, high-density rail corridors, heavily
congested routes and critical rail sections, zone- wise;
(c) whether rail routes belonging to South East Central Railway and
Chhattisgarh particularly Bastar region are included therein and if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has prepared a time-bound action plan for the
phased expansion of the Kavach system across the entire Railway
network and if so, the details and timeline fixed therefor, phase-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d):
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).
§ Page 1 of 42. 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.
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
Page 2 of 4Electronic 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 2,633 Route Kilometres as on 31.07.26,
covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as
below:
SN Section Progress
(Route Km)
(1) Delhi-Mumbai route: 1,423 Rkm
i Tilak Bridge - Junction cabin – Palwal – 1,327
Mathura –Kota-Nagda-Ratlam–Vadodara-
Virar section
ii Vadodara – Ahmedabad section 96
(2) Delhi – Howrah route: 1,210 Rkm
i Chipyana - Tundla - Kanpur - Subedarganj 563
section
ii Kanpur – Lucknow section 71
iii Mirzapur - DDU (Excluding) section 64
iv DDU(FOC)-Bhabua Road section 50
v Sasaram - Phesar section 43
vi Gaya -Sarmatarn- Nimiaghat section 159
vii Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah 260
section
Page 3 of 410. In addition, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up
on 21,794 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian
Railways including 2405 Rkm passing through SECR covering
Bhanupratappu - Tadoki section passing through Bastar district (43 Rkm)
of Chhattisgarh.
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 11,547 Km
ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1,721 Nos.
iii Station Data Centre 1,009 station
iv Installation of Track side equipment 7,726 RKm
v Provision of Kavach in Loco 6,290 Nos.
12. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 7,190 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. 3,875
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
including South East Central Railway. Requisite funds are made available
as per the progress of works.
*****
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