Lok Sabha Question No. 807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Swadeshi Kavach Protection System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## SWADESHI KAVACH PROTECTION SYSTEM

## †807. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  reasons  for  failure  to  ensure  full  implementation  of  Swadeshi Kavach  Protection  System  on  the  main  railway  network  despite increasing number of accidents;
- (b)  whether  the  Kavach  system  is  not  foolproof  from  the  safety perspectives and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the extent to which the Government is using predictive maintenance, sensor-based monitoring and fault detection technologies  on  real  time  basis  to  reduce  accidents  caused  by signal failures and track-related defects and the results thereof;
- (d)  whether  any  new  policy  has  been  implemented  to  make  fireretardant materials and advanced fire safety systems mandatory in all new passenger coaches and if so, the details of the plans and timeline for the upgradation of old coaches;
- (e)  the  details  of  unmanned  (without  security  staff)  level  crossing gates  on  densely  populated  roads  including  Jhunjhunu  district  in Rajasthan, district-wise; and
- (f)  the  details  of  the  dedicated  funds,  construction  timeline  and arrangements  for  coordination with States to accelerate the process of removing these level crossings?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b): 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 (Till date) | 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.

## No. of consequential accidents

Accident Index     =

No. of trains X million kilometers run

2025-26

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

## 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 System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
- 16.
- Monitoring
- Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
- 17.
- The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout 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.
- 20.
- 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 undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
22. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design coaches is being done.
23. All  unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have 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.
25. 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.
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 counseling and training of staff is undertaken.
- 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
28. 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                                              | Improvements                            | Improvements                                    | 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 2013-24: 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:

- i. 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).
- ii. 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.
- iii. 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.
- iv. Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.
- v. 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.
- vi. 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.

- vii. 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.
2. 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
- viii. Railways.
4. 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
- ix. section (105 Rkm).
- x. 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.
- xi. Progress of key items  of  Kavach on  High  density routes including
8. Delhi- Mumbai & Delhi- Howrah corridors are as under:

| SN   | 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        |

- xii. 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.
- xiii. 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.
- xiv. 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.
- xv. 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.
5. (c):   Technological improvements in Indian Railways (IR) are a continuous process. Some  of the Artificial Intelligence based predictive maintenance applications are as follows:

- i. Pilot  initiatives  involving  Artificial  Intelligence/Machine  Learning (AI/ML)  driven  predictive  maintenance  of  Signalling  system  is being undertaken over Indian Railways. At some of the stations it has been used to evaluate efficacy of maintenance. Measurable outcome includes limited Prediction Logics and Alerts mechanism.
- ii. Oscillograph Monitoring System (OMS) and Track Recording Car (TRC) are used to identify defects, predict maintenance requirement and analyze health of track. For detection of internal defects  in  rail  and  welds,  Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD) testing  is  carried  out  regularly  at  prescribed  frequency.  Indian Railways has adopted 'Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing' technology  for  flaw  Detection  in  flash  butt  weld,  which  is  an advance technology.
- iii.  1)  IR  has  adopted  advanced/improved  technologies  like  Online Monitoring  of  Rolling  Stock  System  (OMRS),  Wheel  Impact Load  Detector  (WILD)  for  predictive  maintenance  of  Rolling stock.
- 2) A Memorandum of Understand has been signed between IR and Limited (DFCCIL) in July 2025 for induction of wayside Machine Vision based  Inspection  System  (MVIS).  This  is  an  AI/ML  driven system for detecting hanging parts or missing components in
5. Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India moving trains.
- 3) A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between IR and  Delhi  Metro  Rail  Corporation  to  induct  Automatic  Wheel Profile Measurement System (AWPMS). The AWPMS allows for automatic  non-contact  measurement  of  train  wheel  profile
7. ensuring real-time measurement of wheel geometry and wear.

- (d):  The  inherent  design  of  rolling  stock  is  done  keeping  in  mind various safety provisions. Further modification and up-gradation of coaches  to  enhance  fire  safety  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  (IR).  Following  measures  have  been taken for safety including fire safety in coaches:
- i. Provision  of  Minimum  two  Fire  Extinguishers  in  all  coaches over Indian Railways.
- ii. Fire Detection & Suppression System has been provided in fire prone areas of Power cars and Pantry cars.
- iii. Fire and smoke  Detection system  has been  provided in coaches as per extant guidelines.
- iv. Water mist type fire suppression system is being provided on pantry cars and power cars in phased manner.
- v. Provision of emergency windows in coaches for evacuation in case of fire.
- vi. Use  of  Fire-retardant  material  as  per  global  fire-retardant norms in coaches for seats/berths, panels, flooring, insulation, toilets etc for improved fire safety.
- vii. Use of fire retardant E-beam cable in coaches.
- viii. Use  of  different  level  of  protection  in  the  form  of  fuses, Miniature Circuit breaker (MCBs) and Motor protection Circuit Breakers  (MPCBs)  in  the  electrical  circuits  to  prevent  the damage from electrical faults/surges.
- Provision of Aerosol based fire suppression system in electrical
- ix. cabinets.
- x. Further, up-gradation of material in line with global standards is  regularly  being  carried  out  with  fitment  of  new  generation material in Amrit Bharat & Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.
- xi.
- Display of "Fire Notices" for widespread information in all

coaches  to  inform  and  alert  passengers  regarding  various 'Do's'  and  'Don'ts'  to  prevent  fire.  These  include  messages regarding  not  to  carry  any  inflammable  material,  explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches and penalties etc.

- xii. Prohibition of flame based cooking in coaches.

Regular maintenance of various fire safety equipments/components  as  per  the  prescribed  periodicity  is carried  out  by  the  designated  officials  at  Depots/Sheds  for ensuring their proper upkeep.

- (e)  &  (f):  All  Unmanned  Level  Crossings  (UMLCs)  on  running  lines  of Broad Guage (BG) network of Indian Railway including the state of Rajasthan have been eliminated by 31.01.2019.

Elimination  of  level  crossings  (LCs)  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic process of Indian Railway. Such works are taken up on the basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc.

Nos.  of  ROBs/  RUBs  constructed  on  Indian  Railways  during  the period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-25 (Dec'25) is as under:

| Period   | ROBs/ RUBs constructed   |
|----------|--------------------------|
| 2004-14  | 4,148 Nos.               |
| 2014-25  | 13,882 Nos.              |
| (Dec'25) |                          |

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