Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Kavach System in all Zones of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Dr. Nishikant Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 271

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## KAVACH SYSTEM IN ALL ZONES OF RAILWAYS

## 271. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to enhance level of passenger safety in Railways;
- (b) whether Kavach system has been made operational in all zones of railways across the country particularly in Jharkhand;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  manner in which Government proposes to implement Kavach system across the country;
- (e) the time likely to be taken for installation of Kavach system across the country;
- (f) the cost to be incurred for implementation of Kavach system;
- (g) whether  the  Government  foresees  any  delay  in  achieving  this target, if so the details thereof; and
- (h) whether  the  Government  intends  to conduct  any  studies to determine the causes of such delay, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (h): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (h) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 271 BY DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY AND SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON  27.11.2024  REGARDING  KAVACH  SYSTEM  IN  ALL  ZONES  OF RAILWAYS.

- (a)  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:
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,608 stations  up  to  31.10.2024  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 11,053 level Crossing Gates up to 31.10.2024 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 6,619 stations up to 31.10.2024.
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  DelhiMumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  corridors  (approximately  3000  Route Km). Track side works on these routes have been completed on about 1081 RKm (705 RKm on Delhi-Mumbai section and 376 RKm on Delhi-Howrah section). 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

| Expenditure on Safety related activities            | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|                                                     | 2022-23 (Act)                              | 2023- 24(Act)  | BE 2024-25     |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                | 18,115                                     | 20,322         | 21,386         |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock       | 27,086                                     | 30,864         | 31,494         |
| Maintenance of Machines                             | 9,828                                      | 10,772         | 11,864         |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                      | 5,347                                      | 6,662          | 9,980          |
| Track Renewals                                      | 16,326                                     | 17,850         | 17,652         |
| Bridge Works                                        | 1,050                                      | 1,907          | 2,137          |
| Signal & Telecom Works                              | 2,456                                      | 3,751          | 4,647          |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety | 7,119                                      | 9,523          | 9,615          |
| Total                                               | 87,327                                     | 1,01,651       | 1,08,776       |

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,  fanshaped 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).
17. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in
9. 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
16. 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.
20. 28.
21. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
22. 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
29. executed as per plan.

The  details  of  the  Safety  related  works  undertaken  by  Railways  are tabulated below:-

| SN    | Item                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013- 14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24                               | 2014-24 Vs. 2004- 14   |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| Track | Maintenance                                                   |                       |                                                  |                        |
| 1.    | Expenditure on Track Renewal (Rs. in Cr.)                     | 47,038                | 1,09,577                                         | 2.33 times             |
| 2.    | Rail Renewal Primary (Track Km)                               | 32,260                | 43,335                                           | 1.34 times             |
| 3.    | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                        | 57,450                | 1,23,717                                         | 2.15 times             |
| 4.    | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                                | 9,917                 | 68,233                                           | 6.88 times             |
| 5.    | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails (Track km) | 20,19,630             | 26,52,291                                        | 1.31 times             |
| 6.    | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.)     | 79,43,940             | 1,73,06,046                                      | 2.17 times             |
| 7.    | New Track KM added (Track km)                                 | 14,985                | 31,180                                           | 2.08 times             |
| 8.    | Weld failures (Nos.)                                          | In 2013- 14: 3699     | In 2023-24: 481                                  | 87% reduction          |
| 9.    | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                         | In 2013- 14: 2548     | In 2023-24: 383                                  | 85% reduction          |
| 10    | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                     | Nil                   | 21,127                                           |                        |
| 11    | Track Machines (Nos.)                                         | As on 31.03.14 = 748  | As on 31.03.24 = 1,661                           | 122% increase          |
|       | Level Crossing Gate                                           | Elimination           |                                                  |                        |
| 1.    | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)           | As on 31.03.14: 8948  | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% reduction         |
| 2.    | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)             | 1,137                 | 7,075                                            | 6.21 Times             |
| 3.    | Road over Bridges (RoBs)/ Road under Bridges (RUBs) (Nos.)    | 4,148                 | 11,945                                           | 2.88 Times             |

| 4.   | Expenditure on LC Elimination (LC+ROB+RUB)        | 8,825                 | 41,957                 | 4.75 Times            |
|------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|-----------------------|
|      | Bridge Rehabilitation                             | Bridge Rehabilitation | Bridge Rehabilitation  | Bridge Rehabilitation |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.) | 3,924                 | 8,255                  | 2.10 Times            |
|      | Signalling Works                                  | Signalling Works      | Signalling Works       | Signalling Works      |
| 1.   | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                | 837                   | 2,964                  | 3.52 times            |
| 2.   | Automatic Block Signaling (Km)                    | 1,486                 | 2,497                  | 1.67 times            |
| 3.   | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                    | As on 31.03.14: 90    | As on 31.03.24: 19,742 | 219 times             |

| S N   | Item                                                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24   | 2014-24 Vs. 2004- 14   |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|------------------------|
|       | Rolling Stock                                                                                 |                      |                      |                        |
| 1.    | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                                                             | 2,337                | 36,933               | 15.80 times            |
| 2.    | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                  | 0                    | 19,271               |                        |
| 3.    | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars (Nos. of Coaches) | 0                    | 2,991                |                        |
| 4.    | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                          | 0                    | 66,840               |                        |

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 Assessment  of  the  system  by  Independent  Safety  Assessor  (ISA),
4. three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach ver 3.2.
5. 4.
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.
9. b.
10. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- c. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
12. d.
13. 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, now large scale deployment has started.
9. 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 & Delhi- Howrah corridors (approximately 3000  Route  km).  Track  side  works  on  these  routes  have  been completed on about 1081 RKm (705 RKm on Delhi-Mumbai section and 376 RKm on Delhi-Howrah section). Regular trials are being done on these sections.
10. Progress of Key items comprising Kavach system on above mentioned routes upto Oct' 2024 is as under:-
- a. Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 4960 Km
- b. Installation of Telecom Towers: 378 Nos.
- c. Provision of Kavach at Stations: 381 Nos.
- d. Provision of Kavach in Loco: 482 Locos
24. e.
25. Installation of Track side equipment: 1948 RKm.
11. Next phase of Kavach implementation is planned as under:-
- a. Project for equipping 10,000 Locomotives has been finalized.
- b. Bids  for  track  side  Works  of  Kavach  for  approximately  15000 RKm have been invited, out of  which  Bids  for  about  9000  Rkm
29. have  been  opened.    It  covers  all  GQ,  GD,  HDN  and  Identified sections of Indian Railways.
12. Parts  of  the  routes  mentioned  above  are  also  passing  through State of Jharkhand.
13. 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.
14. 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 9000 technicians, operators  and  engineers  have  been  trained  on  Kavach  technology. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
15. 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.
16. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far is Rs. 1547 Crores. The allocation  of  funds  during  the  year  2024-25  is  Rs.  1112.57  Crores. Requisite funds will be made available as per the progress of works.

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