Lok Sabha Question No. 638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Railway routes with Kavach Anti-Collision System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## RAILWAY ROUTES WITH KAVACH ANTI-COLLISION SYSTEM

## 638. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway routes with kilometres where the Kavach anti-collision  system  has  been  fully  implemented  and  made operational  during  the  last  five  years  and  the  total  route  in kilometers where implementation is still pending, State-wise;
- (b) whether  any  train  accidents  occurred  between  January  2020 and  November  2025  on  routes  where  Kavach  installation  was scheduled  but  not  completed  and  if  So,  the  details  thereof including date, location and causalities, if any;
- (c) the  allocation  of  funds  for  Kavach  deployment  during  the  last five years, along with actual utilisation figures, State and zone-
- wise; and
- (d) whether the Government has identified any delays in tendering, technological integration or vendor capacity that are hampering timely  implementation  of  Kavach  and  if  so,  the  corrective measures taken/being undertaken by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): 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. Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25 as shown in the graph below.

It  may be noted that the Consequential Train Accidents during the period  2004-14  was  1711  (average  171  per  annum),  which  has declined  to  31  in  2024-25  and  further  to  11  in  2025-26  (upto November 2025).

Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25, indicating an improvement of approx. 73% during the said period.

The  number  of  consequential  train  accidents  during  the  last  ten years are depicted in the graph below:-

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As per the inquiry reports, the causes of the accidents broadly include track  defects,  loco/coach  defects,  equipment  failures,  human  errors etc.

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  6,656 stations  up  to  31.10.2025  to  reduce  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 10,098  Level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.10.2025  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 6,661 stations up to 31.10.2025.
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. Initially, Kavach Version 3.2 was deployed on 1465 RKm of South Central Railway and 80 RKm of North  Central  Railway.  Kavach  specification  Version  4.0  was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.

| 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 (Act.)                                                 | 2022-23 (Act.)                                                 | 2023-24 (Act.)                                                 | 2024-25                                                        | 2025-26                                                        |
| 39,463                                                         | 87,327                                                         | 1,01,651                                                       | 1,14,022                                                       | 1,16,470                                                       |

After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on Palwal-Mathura-Kota-Nagda Section (633 Rkm) on Delhi- Mumbai route and on Howrah-

Bardhaman  section  (105  RKm)  on  Delhi-Howrah  route.  Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah route.

Further,  Kavach  implementation  has  been  taken  up  on  15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.

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).
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
8. 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:-

| 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   |
|----|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
|  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
3. 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.
5. 4.
6. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.
5. Implementation of Kavach System involves following Activities:
8. Key
- a. Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.
10. b.
11. Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.
- c. Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.
13. d.
14. 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 and experience gained, 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. After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully  commissioned  on  738  Route  km  on    Palwal  Mathura- Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi - Mumbai route and Howrah-Bardhaman  section  (105    Rkm)  Delhi  -  Howrah  route. Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of Delhi - Mumbai & Delhi - Howrah corridors.
10. Progress  of  key  items  of  Kavach  on  High  density  routes including Delhi- Mumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:
11. Further,  track  side  Kavach  implementation  work  has  been taken up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.
12. Bids have been invited for equipping another 9,069 locomotives with  Kavach version  4.0.  Kavach  is  being  provided progressively in a phased manner in locomotives.

| SN   | Item                                 | Progress   |
|------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 7129 Km    |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 860 nos    |
| iii  | Provision of Kavach at Stations      | 549 nos    |
| iv   | Installation of Track side equipment | 2674 RKm   |
| v    | Provision of Kavach on Locos         | 4,154      |

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 40,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on  Kavach  technology.  This  includes  30,000  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  Oct'25  is  Rs. 2,354.36 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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