Lok Sabha Question No. 2597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Coverage of Kavach in Indian Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2597 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## COVERAGE OF KAVACH IN INDIAN RAILWAYS

## 2597.  DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total locomotives in Indian Railways equipped with Kavach  along  with  the  total  track  kilometers  under  control  of Railways covered by Kavach Railways till date;
- (b) the  annual  target  for  implementation  of  Kavach  in  terms  of kilometers  of  track  and  number  of  Locomotives  and  Golden Quadrilateral of Indian Railways from 2021-22 onwards till expected  year  of  completion  along  with  the  target  and  the achievement in respect of coverage in the year 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and in 2024 till date;
- (c) whether it is a fact that Kavach would have been able to prevent the accident of Coramandel Express at Balasore and Kanchanjunga Express; and
- (d) the  cost  of  installation  of  Kavach  per  kilometer  and  for  a locomotive?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d):    A statement is laid on the Table of the House .

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.2597  BY  DR.  KALANIDHI  VEERASWAMY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.08.2024  REGARDING COVERAGE OF KAVACH IN INDIAN RAILWAYS

## (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.
2. Kavach aids the loco pilot in train running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case  Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the train to  run safely during inclement weather.
3. Implementation of Kavach involves execution of many  activities, such as:
4. a.
5. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station.
6. b.
7. c.
8. d.
9. Installation of RFID tags throughout the track length.
10. Installation of Telecom Towers throughout the section.
11. Laying of optical Fibre cable along the track.
12. Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive
- e. running on Indian Railways.
4. Kavach  has  so  far  been  deployed  on  1465  Route  km  and  144
15. locomotives on South Central Railway.
5. Presently, the progress of main items related to Kavach on DelhiMumbai & Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route km) is as under :
17. (i)
18. (ii)
19. (iii)
20. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 4275 Km
21. Installation of Telecom Towers: 364 Nos.
22. Provision of Station Equipment: 285 Nos.

- (iv) Provision of equipment in Loco: 319 Locos
- (v)
- Installation of Track side equipments: 1384 Route Km.
6. Indian Railways has also prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR)
- and Detailed Estimate on another 6000 RKm.
7. On  16.07.2024,  Kavach  4.0  specification  has  been  approved  by RDSO. This version 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.
- Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner.
9. To  increase  capacity  and  scale  up  implementation,  trials  and approval of more OEMs are at different stages.
10. 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. 70 lakh/ loco.  The  funds  utilized  on  Kavach  works  so  far  is  ₹1216.77  Cr. The allocation of funds during the year 2024-25 is ₹1112.57 Cr.
11. Balasore train accident is not linked with the provision of Kavach.
12. Kanchanjunga  Express  accident  took  place  in  New  Jalpaiguri  Barsoi - Malda Town section. Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) Inquiry  has  been ordered  in  case  of  Kanchanjunga  Express  train accident and the final report is awaited.

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