Indian Railways deploys indigenous safety system Kavach 4.0 on Delhi-Mumbai route


Indian Railways has commenced the deployment of its most advanced indigenous train safety system, Kavach 4.0, with its first operational rollout on the Mathura-Kota stretch of the high-traffic Delhi-Mumbai corridor.

The move is significant as in railways looks to modernise safety infrastructure and enhance operational security. Kavach, meaning, which translates to “armour” is an Automatic Train Protection system developed entirely within India, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Kavach 4.0, introduces certain upgrades in technology and safety features, aimed at reducing human error and ensuring safer railway operations, News18 reported.

The system functions by using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags installed at one-kilometre intervals along railway tracks and at key signal points. These tags help determine a train’s precise location in real time. The infrastructure is supported by a network of telecom towers and optical fibre lines, which allow for seamless data transmission between locomotives and control centres.
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One feature of Kavach 4.0 is its ability to operate effectively even under adverse weather conditions such as fog. Loco pilots receive critical information directly on their cabin dashboard, eliminating the need to rely on external signals and visibility. The system is integrated with the train’s braking mechanism, enabling automatic braking in case of emergencies.

It has been designed to meet Safety Integrity Level 4 the highest international safety certification and has been approved for use on trains operating at speeds of up to 160 kmph. Its installation is described as akin to setting up a miniature telecom network along the railway line due to the extent of fibre optic cabling and tower infrastructure required.

According to Indian Railways, the system is in use across over 4,000 km of rail tracks, covering 708 stations and 1,107 locomotives. Supporting this network are 5,856 kilometres of laid fibre optic cable and 619 telecom towers. To ensure smooth implementation and operation, over 30,000 railway personnel have undergone training to work with the new technology.



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