Parliament Question: Kavach 4.0 Version in Locomotives

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 529 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 KAVACH 4.0 VERSION IN LOCOMOTIVES †529. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government had proposed to install Kavach 4.0 version in 10,000 locomotives across the country; (b) if so, the details of the respective States including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and the number of locomotives in which Kavach 4.0 version have been installed; and (c) the number of remaining locomotives in the country particularly in State of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh where Kavach 4.0 version is to be installed so that the target of installation of Kavach 4.0 version in all locomotives may be met? 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 inclement weather. § Page 1 of 43. 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 Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements, Kavach Ver.4.0. is planned for large scale deployment over Indian Railways. Page 2 of 49. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 2,490 Route Kilometres as on 13.07.26, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes including sections passing through Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra as below: SN Section Progress (Route Km) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: 1,344 Rkm i Tilak Bridge - Junction cabin – Palwal – 1,248 Mathura –Nagda –Vadodra-Virar section (Except Mangalmhudi – Panchpipliya) 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 260 section 10. In addition, track side Kavach implementation work is being taken up on 21,937 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways including sections passing through Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. 11. The total Progress of key items of Kavach on Indian Railway sections are as under: Page 3 of 4SN Item Progress i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 11,253 Km ii Installation of Telecom 1,668 Nos. Towers iii Station Data Centre 958 station iv Installation of Track side 7,721 RKm equipment v Provision of Kavach in Loco 6,045 Nos. 12. In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 7,435 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. ***** Page 4 of 4