9 months ago
Indian Railways Misses Kavach Deadline, Eyes 2026
Indian Railways has missed the deadline to install a safety system called Kavach on important train routes between New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
They initially aimed to finish by March 2025, then extended it to December 2025, but now they hope to complete it by 2026.
Kavach is a system that helps train drivers control speed and automatically applies brakes if needed.
About 25% of the work is done, and they have installed important parts on some sections.
The system is being tested and installed on more trains and stations to make train travel safer.
They are also working with more companies to speed up the installation process.
The government is planning to spend a lot of money, around ₹1.3 lakh crore, to make trains safer.
This money will help companies that make the Kavach system, like HBL Engineering, Kernex Microsystems, and Concord Control Systems.
These companies are important because they help make and install the Kavach system on trains.
Indian Railways missed the Kavach installation deadline on New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah routes.
Initial deadline was March 2025, extended to December 2025, now targeting 2026.
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system for enhancing safety.
About 25% of the work is completed, with crucial components installed on some sections.
The system has been commissioned on 738 route km and installed on 860 stations and 4,154 locomotives.
- Who
- Indian Railways
- What
- Missed Kavach installation deadline, targeting 2026
- Where
- New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah routes
- When
- Initial deadline was March 2025, extended to December 2025, now targeting 2026
- Why
- To enhance train safety by preventing accidents due to human error
Key facts
- System
- Kavach (Automatic Train Protection)
- Routes
- New Delhi-Mumbai, New Delhi-Howrah
- Initial Deadline
- March 2025
- Extended Deadline
- December 2025
- Current Target
- 2026
- Progress
- 25% completed
- Route km Commissioned
- 738
- Stations with Kavach
- 860
- Locomotives with Kavach
- 4,154
- Budget Allocation
- ₹1.3 lakh crore (FY27)
- Total Railway Capex
- ₹2.75 lakh crore (FY27)
- Market Potential
- ₹50,000 crore (estimated)
Quotes
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Railway Minister
“Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 738 Route km on Palwal-Mathura-Nagda section (633 Rkm) on Delhi-Mumbai route and Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) on Delhi-Howrah route.”
telegraphindia.com
“Kavach implementation has been taken up in balance sections of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.”
telegraphindia.com
Railway officials
Indian Railway officials
“Indian Railways needs more than 50 original equipment manufacturers to expedite the installation process, as the broad-gauge network is 78,000 km long and will continue to expand with new areas being added to the rail network.”
telegraphindia.com
“We are doing our level best to operationalise Kavach on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata route, hoping that it will be achieved in 2026.”
telegraphindia.com
