Lok Sabha Question No. 5249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Fund for Kavach Implementation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  5249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## FUND FOR KAVACH IMPLEMENTATION

## 5249.  SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the safety measures taken in Railways for safety of the passengers;
- (b) the  number  of  kilometres  of  railway  track  made  safer  with  Kavach application so far;
- (c) whether Kavach implementation is going on as per target, if so, the time by when the Government intend to cover entire railway track of the country with Kavach;
- (d) the total fund approved and spent on Kavach implementation; and
- (e) the  number  of  kilometre  and  percentage  of  railway  track  covered with Kavach in the State of West Bengal?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ANSWER ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e) : Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. The 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:

activities

| Expenditure                                         | on    | Safety   | related   | related   | activities   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|-------|----------|-----------|-----------|--------------|
| (Rs. in Cr.)                                        |       |          |           |           |              |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                | 9172  | 18,115   | 20,322    | 21,800    | 23,316       |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock       | 14796 | 27,086   | 30,864    | 31,540    | 30,666       |
| Maintenance of Machines                             | 5406  | 9,828    | 10,772    | 12,112    | 12,880       |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                      | 1986  | 5,347    | 6,662     | 8,184     | 7,706        |
| Track Renewals                                      | 4985  | 16,326   | 17,850    | 22,669    | 22,800       |
| Bridge Works                                        | 390   | 1,050    | 1,907     | 2,130     | 2,169        |
| Signal & Telecom Works                              | 905   | 2,456    | 3,751     | 6,006     | 6,800        |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety | 1823  | 7,119    | 9,523     | 9,581     | 10,134       |
| Total                                               | 39463 | 87,327   | 1,01,651  | 1,14,022  | 1,16,470     |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals  have  been  provided  at  6,623 stations up to 28.02.2025 to eliminate accident due to   human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 11,089 level Crossing Gates up to 28.02.2025 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 6,631 stations up to 28.02.2025.
5. Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive  system,  which  requires safety  certification  of  highest  order.  Kavach  was  adopted  as  a National ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner. Kavach has already been deployed on 1548 RKm on South Central Railway and North Central Railway. Presently, the work  is  in  progress  on  Delhi-Mumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  corridors (approximately 3000 Route Km). Track side works on these routes have been completed on about 2066 RKm. Regular trials are being done on these sections.
6. 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.
7. System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
8. All  locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Mechanisation of track laying activity through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
13. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby improving safety.
14. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
15. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
16. Monitoring of track geometry by OMS  (Oscillation Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
16. 17.
17. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout renewal works.
19. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
20. 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.
21. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
22. Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
23. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done.
24. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG)  route have been eliminated by January 2019.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
29. 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 planned 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:-

| SN                         | Item                                   | 2004-05 to 2013-14         | 2014-15 to 2024-25 ( till Jan 25)   | 2014-25 Vs. 2004-14        |
|----------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Technological improvements | Technological improvements             | Technological improvements | Technological improvements          | Technological improvements |
| 1                          | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km) | 57,450 km                  | 1.4 lakh km                         | More than 2 times          |
| 2                          | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)         | 9,917 km                   | 76,000 km                           | More than 7 times          |
| 3                          | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)     | 837 stations               | 3,243 stations                      | 4 times                    |
| 4                          | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)         | As on 31.03.14: 90 nos.    | As on 31.01.25: 25,293              | 281 times                  |

| 5                                       | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                                     | 27,079 nos.                                      |                                         |
|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Better maintenance practices            | Better maintenance practices                              | Better maintenance practices            | Better maintenance practices                     | Better maintenance practices            |
| 1                                       | PrimaryRail Renewal (Track Km)                            | 32,260 km                               | 49,000 km                                        | 1.5 times                               |
| 2                                       | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 lakh                              | 1.9 crore                                        | More than 2 times                       |
| 3                                       | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 301 nos.                             | 92 % reduction                          |
| 4                                       | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 243 nos.                             | 91% reduction                           |
| Better infrastructure and Rolling stock | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock                   | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock          | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock |
| 1                                       | New Track KM added (Track km)                             | 14,985 nos.                             | 34,000 km                                        | More than 2 times                       |
| 2                                       | Flyovers (RoBs)/ Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.)                | 4,148 nos.                              | 12,771 nos.                                      | More than 3 times                       |
| 3                                       | Unmanned Level crossings ( nos.) on BG                    | As on 31.03.14: 8948                    | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | Removed                                 |
| 4                                       | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                         | 2,337 nos.                              | 41,551                                           | More than 17 times                      |

## Implementation of Kavach

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 train 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
4. 4.
5. Assessment  of  the  system  by  Independent  Safety  Assessor  (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2.
6. 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.
10. c.
11. 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 on1465 RKm on south central  Railway,  lot  of  experience  was  gained.  Using  that  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  yard, 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. Progress of Key items comprising Kavach system on Indian Railways upto Feb' 2025 is as under: -
10. Next phase of Kavach implementation is planned as under:-
- a. Project for  equipping  10,000 Locomotives has been finalized. 69 number  of  loco  sheds  have  been  prepared  for  equipping  with Kavach.
- b. Bids  for  track  side  Works  of  Kavach  for  approximately  15,000 RKm have been invited covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections  of  Indian  Railways,  out  of  which  works  of  1865  RKm have been awarded.
11. The  sections  mentioned  above  also  pass  through  state  of  West Bengal.
12. Currently,  3  OEMs  are  approved  for  supply  of  Kavach  System.  To increase capacity and scale of implementation, trials and approval of more OEMs are at different stages.
13. Specialized  training  programme  on  Kavach  are  being  conducted  at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned  officials.  By  now  more  than  20,000  technicians, operators  and  engineers  have  been  trained  on  Kavach  technology. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
14. The cost for provision of Track Side including Station equipment of Kavach is approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for provision of Kavach equipment on locomotives is approximately Rs. 80 Lakh/Loco.
15. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far is Rs. 1950 Crores. The allocation  of  funds  during  the  year  2024-25  is  Rs.  1112.57  Crores. Further, provision of Rs. 2000 Crores has been made for Kavach work during the year 2025-26. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.

| S.No.   | Items                                | Progress   |
|---------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i       | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 5743 Km    |
| ii      | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 540 Nos.   |
| iii     | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 664 Nos.   |
| iv      | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 795 Locos  |
| v       | Installation of Track side equipment | 3727 Rkm   |

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