Indian Railways Kavach System: Indian Railways (IR) has accorded safety its highest priority. It introduced Kavach, an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to further enhance the safe operations of trains. It was adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020.
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Indian Railways Kavach Technology
Indian Railways Kavach technology 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.
Indian Railways Kavach System Deployment Progress
The Kavach technology is being implemented in a phased manner. In the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha sought details from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the current status of Kavach installation, budget allocated, and cost incurred till date. He also requested the minister to provide information related to timeline for completion of Kavach installation across the country and the estimated total cost for the same.
Responding to this, Vaishnaw on August 1 said that 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.
Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm (Route km) 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,” he said.
The minister added that railways has planned large-scale deployment of Kavach version 4.0. “After extensive and elaborate trials in 324 kms of Mathura-Kota section for advance version of Kavach 4.0, this section is approved by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA). This is also the first section to be approved by ISA. Kavach Version 4.0 has been commissioned over Kota–Mathura section covering 324 Route Kilometers on 30.07.2025,” Vaishnaw said.
Progress of key items comprising Kavach system on Indian Railways up to July 14, 2025 is as under:-
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(Source: As per written statement submitted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on August 1, 2025 in Rajya Sabha)
Indian Railways Kavach Cost
Vaishnaw further said: “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.
“The funds utilised on Kavach works so far up to June 2025 is Rs 2,015 crore. The allocation of funds during the year 2025-26 is Rs 1,673.19 crore. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.”
