- Kavach 4.0 commissioned on 738 route km across two major high-density corridors.
- Trackside rollout underway on 15,512 Rkm covering GQ, GD, HDN and key identified routes.
- New version features higher accuracy, improved signal info, OFC integration and EI direct interface.
- Over 40,000 personnel trained; funds of ₹2,354 crore utilised to date.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Dec: Indian Railways has commissioned the upgraded Kavach 4.0 Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on 738 route km across two major corridors — the Palwal–Mathura–Nagda stretch of the Delhi–Mumbai route (633 km) and the Howrah–Bardhaman section (105 km) on the Delhi–Howrah route. The move marks a major push in enhancing passenger safety on high-density routes.
Kavach, an indigenously developed SIL-4 certified ATP system, automatically applies brakes if a train exceeds permitted speed or when the loco pilot fails to act, and ensures safe train movement even during adverse weather. Version 4.0, approved in July 2024, incorporates substantial technological upgrades, including higher location accuracy, improved yard signal information, OFC-based station interfacing and direct integration with existing electronic interlocking systems.
Large-Scale Deployment Underway Nationwide
Trackside implementation has begun across 15,512 route km covering the Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, High Density Network and other priority sections. Key progress indicators include:
- 7,129 km of Optical Fibre Cable laid
- 860 telecom towers installed
- 549 stations equipped with Kavach
- 2,674 Rkm of trackside equipment installed
- 4,154 locomotives fitted with Kavach
Bids have been floated to equip an additional 9,069 locomotives with version 4.0.
Training and Costs
Indian Railways has trained more than 40,000 personnel — including 30,000 loco pilots and assistant loco pilots — through specialised programmes developed with IRISET to support nationwide rollout.
The cost of installing trackside and station equipment stands at approximately ₹50 lakh per km, while locomotive installation costs around ₹80 lakh per unit. Total expenditure on Kavach projects up to October 2025 is ₹2,354.36 crore, with ₹1,673.19 crore allocated for 2025–26.
Kavach: A Safety Milestone
Adopted as India’s national ATP system in 2020, Kavach has seen progressive enhancement since its first field trials in 2016. Version 4.0 is now positioned for large-scale deployment across the national network, aimed at maximising operational safety and supporting the modernisation of India’s rail infrastructure.
The information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
