Lok Sabha Question No. 2030 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Kavach Deployment on Priority Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2030 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## KAVACH DEPLOYMENT ON PRIORITY CORRIDORS

## 2030. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether if is a fact that aggressive targets are announced repeatedly without  matching  ground-level  capacity,  resources,  or  timelines  for Kavach deployment on priority corridors and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  acknowledges  that  repeated  deadline  shifts indicate systemic issues in procurement, testing or coordination and if so, the details thereof including structural reforms being implemented and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  ensured  adequate  funding  and  skilled manpower for Kavach installation and if so, the details thereof including financial and technical constraints, if any;
- (d) whether the Government will disclose route-wise and zone-wise Kavach installation status to Parliament, instead of providing broad assurances without transparent progress metrics and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  acknowledges  that  frequent  accidents  and near-misses make delays in Kavach installation unacceptable and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e): Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents.

Number  of  Consequential  Train  Accidents  has  reduced  as  shown  in  the table below:-

| Year                      | Consequential Accidents   |
|---------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15                   | 135                       |
| 2025-26 (upto 31.01.2026) | 12 (90% lesser)           |

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accidents Index, the details of which are as under:-

## Consequential Accident Index:-

| Year    | Accident Index    |
|---------|-------------------|
| 2014-15 | 0.11              |
| 2024-25 | 0.03 (73% lesser) |

This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running Kilometers of all trains.

Accident Index =

No. of consequential accidents

No. of trains X million kilometers run

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2025-26

The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:-

--3/-

## 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:-

| Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   | Expenditure/Budget on Safety related activities (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                                                        | 2022-23                                                        | 2023-24                                                        | 2024-25                                                        | 2025-26                                                        |
| 39,200                                                         | 87,336                                                         | 1,01,662                                                       | 1,14,022                                                       | 1,17,693                                                       |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,660 stations up to 31.12.2025 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at  10,097 Level Crossing Gates up to 31.12.2025 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  6,665 stations up to 31.12.2025.
5. 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.
6. System  of  disconnection  and  reconnection  for  S&T  equipment  as  per protocol has been re-emphasized.
7. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices  (VCD)  to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track  machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc. to reduce human errors.

12. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m  long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal  and  avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
13. Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD)  testing  of  rails  to  detect  flaws  and timely removal of defective rails.
14. Laying of longer rails, minimizing the use of Alumino Thermic Welding and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.,  Flash  Butt Welding.
15. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring  System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
5. 16.
6. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
17. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout
8. renewal works.
18. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
19. 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.
11. 20.
12. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track,  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions, etc. have been issued.
21. Preventive  maintenance  of  railway  assets  (Coaches  &  Wagons)  is
14. undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
15. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB  design
22. coaches is being done.
17. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have
23. been eliminated by January 2019.
24. 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.
20. 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
25. coaches, penalties etc.
26. 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.

27. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
28. 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:-

| S.N.   | Item                                                      | 2004-05 to 2013-14           | 2014-15 to 2024-25           | 2014-25 Vs. 2004-14          |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|        | Technological Improvements                                | Technological Improvements   | Technological Improvements   | Technological Improvements   |
| 1.     | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                    | 57,450 Km                    | 1.43 Lakh Km                 | More than 2 times            |
| 2.     | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                            | 9,917 Km                     | 77,522 Km                    | Nearly 8 times               |
| 3.     | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                        | 837 Stations                 | 3,691 Stations               | More than 4 times            |
| 4.     | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                            | As on 31.03.14: 90 Nos.      | As on 31.03.25: 25,939 Nos.  | 288 times                    |
| 5.     | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                          | 28,301 Nos.                  |                              |
|        | Better Maintenance Practices                              | Better Maintenance Practices | Better Maintenance Practices | Better Maintenance Practices |
| 1.     | Primary Rail Renewal (Track Km)                           | 32,260 Km                    | 49,941 Km                    | 1.5 times                    |
| 2.     | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 Lakh                   | 2 Crore                      | More than 2 times            |

| 3.                                      | Weld failures (Nos.)                      | In 2013-14: 3699 Nos.                   | In 2024-25: 370 Nos.                            | 90 % reduction                          |
|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 4.                                      | Rail fractures (Nos.)                     | In 2013-14: 2548 Nos.                   | In 2024-25: 289 Nos.                            | More than 88% 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 Km                               | 34,428 Km                                       | More than 2 times                       |
| 2.                                      | Flyovers (RoBs)/Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.) | 4,148 Nos.                              | 13,808 Nos.                                     | More than 3 times                       |
| 3.                                      | Unmanned Level crossings (Nos.) on BG     | As on 31.03.14: 8,948                   | As on 31.03.24:Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | Removed                                 |
| 4.                                      | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)         | 2,337 Nos.                              | 42,677                                          | More than 18 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 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.
- Based  on  deployment  of  Kavach  version  3.2  on  1465  RKm  on  South Central  Railway  and  experience  gained,  further  improvements  were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO
6. 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. After  extensive  and  elaborate  trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0  has  been successfully  commissioned  on  1297  Route  Kilometres,  covering  the high density Delhi - Mumbai and Delhi - Howrah routes. On the Delhi Mumbai  route  Kavach  ver  4.0  has  been  commissioned  on  Junction cabin - Palwal - Mathura - Nagda section (667 Rkm) & Ahmedabad Vadodara - Virar section (432  Rkm) and on the Delhi - Howrah route on Gaya  -  Saramatanr  (93  Rkm)  and  Bardhaman  -  Howrah  section  (105 Rkm).
10. Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 23,360 RKM covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.
11. Progress  of  key  items  of  Kavach  on  High  density  routes  including Delhi- Mumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:

| S N   | Item                                 | Progress    |
|-------|--------------------------------------|-------------|
| i     | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 8570 Km     |
| ii    | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 938 nos     |
| iii   | Station Data Centre                  | 767 station |
| iv    | Installation of Track side equipment | 5672 RKm    |
| v     | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4154        |

12. Tender  has  been  finalised  for  equipping  6,300  Electric  Locomotives with Kavach version 4.0 and another tender for equipping 2,679 Diesel Locomotives is under finalisation.
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 48,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes  about  45,000  Loco  Pilots  &  Assistant  Loco  Pilots.  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 up to Dec'25 is Rs. 2,573.36 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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