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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 543
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026
KAVACH EXPANSION PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU
543. DR. RANI SRIKUMAR:
SHRI SELVAM G:
SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the approval of the 201
crore Kavach project and the successful implementation of the
indigenous train collision avoidance system in various zones, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether Southern Railway caters to a vast rail network and heavy
passenger traffic, particularly in Tamil Nadu has been covered under
the Kavach expansion programme and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of Kavach installation completed and under implementation
in Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem
Divisions, route and division-wise;
(d) the details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred for Kavach
deployment in Tamil Nadu during the last three years, year-wise; and
(e) the details of timeline fixed for achieving complete Kavach coverage
across the Southern Railway network in Tamil Nadu to enhance
passenger safety?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e):
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
Page 2 of 4existing 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 2,490 Route Kilometres as on 13.07.26,
covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes 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 - 563
Subedarganj 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 has been taken
up on 21,937 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of
Indian Railways including 427 Rkm passing through Tamil Nadu. Also,
Page 3 of 4Kavach work of about 1319 Rkm has been sanctioned for various
sections passing through Tamil Nadu.
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 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.
14. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Jun'26 is Rs. 3,874.9
Crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2026-27 is Rs. 2066.24
Crores. Tamil Nadu is covered by SR, SWR & SCoR. Kavach work is
going at good pace in the entire country including Tamilnadu.
Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.
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