**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the installation of Kavach 4.0 on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes, to be answered on December 17, 2025. The response details the reasons for the revised deadline of December 2025, the total funds utilized, and the steps taken to approve more vendors. The Minister of Railways provides an overview of the Kavach system's development, implementation, and current status.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Kavach System Overview:**
* Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system requiring safety certification of the highest order (SIL-4).
* It aids loco pilots in running trains within specified speed limits and helps trains run safely during inclement weather.
* Kavach was adopted as the National ATP system in July 2020.
* First field trials on passenger trains started in February 2016.
* **Kavach Implementation Activities:**
* Installation of Station Kavach at each station and block section.
* Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
* Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
* Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.
* Provision of Loco Kavach on each locomotive running on Indian Railways.
* **Kavach Version 4.0 Details:**
* Approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024 and covers major features for the railway network.
* Major improvements include increased Location Accuracy, improved information of Signal Aspects, and enhanced interfaces.
* Successfully commissioned on 738 Route km on Palwal – Mathura- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi – Mumbai route and Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) Delhi – Howrah route.
* Bids have been invited for equipping another 9,069 locomotives with Kavach 4.0.
* **Implementation Progress on High-Density Routes:**
* Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 7129 Km
* Installation of Telecom Towers: 860 nos
* Station Data Centre: 767 Stns
* Installation of Track side equipment: 5672 RKm
* Provision of Kavach on Locos: 4,154
* **Other Key Facts:**
* Track-side Kavach implementation has been taken up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN, and identified sections of Indian Railways.
* Over 40,000 technicians, operators, and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology, including 33,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots.
* Funds utilized on Kavach works up to Oct'25 is Rs. 2,354.36 Crores; allocation for 2025-26 is Rs. 1673.19 Crores.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways**
* **Impact:**
* Enhanced safety and operational efficiency due to the implementation of the Kavach system.
* Large-scale deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 for improved train operations.
* Allocation of substantial funds for continued Kavach implementation.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue Kavach implementation on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes.
* Ensure adequate training programs for all personnel involved in Kavach operations.
* Monitor the progress of Kavach installation and utilization of allocated funds.
Key Entities Referenced
Kavach: An indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by Indian Railways designed to enhance safety by automatically applying brakes to prevent collisions.
Ministry of Railways: The primary government body responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Kavach system.
Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes: The high-density railway routes where Kavach 4.0 is being installed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2839
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
INSTALLATION OF KAVACH 4.0 ON DELHI-MUMBAI AND DELHI-
KOLKATA ROUTES
2839. DR MALLU RAVI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the specific reasons for the revised deadline of December 2025
for the installation of 'Kavach' 4.0 on the high-density Delhi-
Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes and the percentage of this
work completed as of November 1, 2025;
(b) the total fund utilised (out of the Rs. 1,950 crore spent so far),
route-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to approve more vendors
and scale up manufacturing capacity given the recent industry
statements (in November 2025) that the five year national
rollout target is impossible with the current three approved
OEMs?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c)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
--2/--2-
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:
i. 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 738 Route km on Palwal –
--3/--3-
Mathura- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi – Mumbai route and
Howrah–Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) Delhi – Howrah route.
Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of
Delhi – Mumbai & Delhi – Howrah corridors.
10. Progress of key items of Kavach on High density routes including
Delhi– Mumbai & Delhi– Howrah corridors are as under:
SN Item Progress
i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 7129 Km
ii Installation of Telecom Towers 860 nos
iii Station Data Centre 767 Stns
iv Installation of Track side equipment 5672 RKm
v Provision of Kavach on Locos 4,154
11. Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken
up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified
sections of Indian Railways.
12. Bids have been invited for equipping another 9,069 locomotives
with Kavach version 4.0. Kavach is being provided progressively
in a phased manner in locomotives.
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
40,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained
on Kavach technology. This includes 33,000 Loco Pilots &
Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in
collaboration with IRISET.
14. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Oct'25 is Rs.
2,354.36 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.
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