In a significant push to enhance passenger safety on its most critical routes, Indian Railways has successfully commissioned its latest indigenously developed safety shield, Kavach 4.0, across 738 route kilometers. The deployment focuses on the high-density Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors, marking a pivotal phase in the national transporter's mission to prevent accidents.
What is Kavach 4.0 and How Does It Work?
Kavach, which translates to 'armour', is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. It acts as a vigilant co-pilot for the locomotive driver. The system is designed to automatically apply brakes if the driver fails to respond to signals or exceeds speed limits, thereby preventing collisions. This technology becomes crucial during inclement weather like dense fog or heavy rain, when visibility is low. It is a highly technology-intensive system requiring the highest Safety Integrity Level (SIL-4) certification.
The newly commissioned Version 4.0, approved by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) on July 16, 2024, incorporates major upgrades tailored for India's diverse rail network. Key improvements include:
- Increased location accuracy for precise train tracking.
- Better display of signal aspects in large railway yards.
- Enhanced station-to-station communication via Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).
- Direct interface with existing Electronic Interlocking systems.
These enhancements make Kavach 4.0 suitable for large-scale deployment across Indian Railways.
Current Deployment and Minister's Update
Providing a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw detailed the progress. He stated that after extensive trials, Kavach 4.0 has been commissioned on the Palwal-Mathura-Nagda section (633 Rkm) on the Delhi-Mumbai route and the Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) on the Delhi-Howrah route.
"Kavach implementation has been taken up in the balance sections of Delhi–Mumbai & Delhi–Howrah corridors," the Minister added. The work is part of a broader, phased installation plan for these crucial arteries.
Large-Scale Infrastructure Rollout
The deployment of Kavach is backed by massive infrastructure development. Minister Vaishnaw shared the following progress figures for the high-density routes, including the two corridors:
- Laying of Optical Fibre Cable: 7,129 Km
- Installation of Telecom Towers: 860 units
- Provision of Kavach at Stations: 549 stations
- Installation of Track-side Equipment: 2,674 Route Km
- Provision of Kavach on Locomotives: 4,154 locomotives
Beyond these corridors, the minister revealed that track-side Kavach work has been initiated on 15,512 Route Km, covering the entire Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, High-Density Network, and other identified sections. Furthermore, bids have been invited for equipping an additional 9,069 locomotives with Kavach version 4.0, indicating a rapid expansion of the safety net.
The commissioning of Kavach 4.0 on these busy trunk routes represents a concrete step towards the modernization and safety-first transformation of Indian Railways, aiming to ensure millions of passengers reach their destinations securely.
