‘Kavach’ train safety system set for Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata line next year

Indian Railways is now optimistic about operationalising its indigenously developed automatic train protection system, Kavach , on routes connecting Delhi , Mumbai , and Kolkata in 2026, after missing its second deadline in December 2025, officials said.

Kavach is a highly technology-intensive Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to assist loco pilots in maintaining speed limits and automatically applying brakes if limits are exceeded, significantly reducing risks from human error. The system was first scheduled to be operational on these high-density routes by March 2025. The deadline was later extended to December 2025, which was also missed, and Railways is now hopeful of completing it in 2026.

The Kavach system has evolved through multiple versions. Kavach 1.0 , introduced in the early field trials, established the basic safety framework for Indian Railways. Kavach 2.0 refined speed monitoring and braking features, while Kavach 3.0 was tested on 1,465 route km in the South Central Railway zone and helped incorporate lessons into the latest Kavach 4.0 , launched in July 2024. Version 4.0 now covers all major safety features required for India’s diverse railway network.

According to officials, 25 per cent of work on these routes is already commissioned and ready for use, while major components on the remaining 75 per cent of the network have been installed. Officials said, “We are doing our level best to operationalise Kavach on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata routes and hope to achieve it in 2026.”

Updating Parliament on December 17, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Kavach Version 4.0 has been commissioned on 738 route km, covering the Palwal-Mathura-Nagda section on the Delhi-Mumbai route and the Howrah-Bardhaman section on the Delhi-Howrah route. Work is ongoing in the remaining sections of these corridors.

The minister also highlighted progress on key components: Optical Fibre Cable laid over 7,129 km, installation of 800 telecom towers, Station Kavach on 860 stations, track-side equipment on 5,672 route km, and Loco Kavach on 4,154 locomotives. Bids have been invited to equip another 9,069 locomotives with Kavach 4.0 .

Experts said the system is crucial for enhancing safety amid increasing train operations. The first field trials began in 2016, and Kavach was adopted as the national ATP system in 2020.

Officials acknowledged initial challenges, as only three companies were approved to install Kavach initially. This number has now risen to five, with expectations to exceed 20 in 2026. They said the network’s scale, 78,000 km of broad-gauge tracks, requires participation from over 50 original equipment manufacturers to accelerate installation.

With steady progress and an aggressive approach, Railways hopes that 2026 will finally see Kavach fully operational on the critical Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata route, marking a significant milestone in railway safety.