Lok Sabha Question No. 499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Implementation of Kavach System in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 499

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF KAVACH SYSTEM IN RAILWAYS

## 499. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of implementation of the Kavach system across  the  Railway  network  including  the  total  number  of routes and trains covered as of 31st March 2025;
- (b) the timeline for complete deployment of Kavach across the entire Railway network;
- (c) the allocation of funds and actual expenditure incurred on the Kavach project since 2022, year-wise;
- (d) the  current status of Kavach implementation in the NorthEast  region  of  the  Country  particularly  in  terms  of  track infrastructure, locomotive installations and operational readiness;
- (e) whether the Government is considering specific budgetary allocations for the deployment of Kavach in the North-East region;
- (f) the total number of loco pilots trained and engines equipped for operating Kavach system since 2022; and
- (g) the specific steps taken/being taken to accelerate the pace of  Kavach deployment on high density routes identified as most critical for safety?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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- (a) to (g): -
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.
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:
- Installation  of  Station  Kavach  at  each  and  every  station,
- a. 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 1465 RKm on South Central Railway, a 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 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.
9. Progress  of  Key  items  comprising  Kavach  system  on  Indian Railways upto 14.07.2025 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.

| SN   | Items                                | Progress   |
|------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 5856 Km    |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 619 Nos.   |
| iii  | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 708 Nos.   |
| iv   | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 1107 Locos |
| v    | Installation of Track side equipment | 4001 Rkm   |

- 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 14847  RKm  have  been  awarded  in  which  some  of  the
- b. sections of North-East Region are also included.
11. 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 30,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on  Kavach  technology.  This  includes  23,612  Loco  Pilots  & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.
12. 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.
13. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to June'25 is Rs. 2015 Crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2025-26 is Rs. 1673.19 Crores. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.

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