Installation of Kavach Automatic Train Protection System Misses December 2025 Deadline
The Indian Railways has missed its second deadline for installing the indigenous 'Kavach' automatic train protection system on the high-traffic Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata routes. Originally targeted for March 2025 and then December 2025, the new operational goal is now set for 2026. Kavach is a high-technology system designed to prevent collisions by automatically applying brakes if a loco pilot fails to do so. Currently, about 25% of the work on these routes is commissioned, with major components for the remaining 75% already installed. The system has been successfully commissioned on 738 route kilometers so far, with extensive trials of Version 4.0 completed.
Key Points
- Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection (ATP) system developed by Indian Railways to enhance safety.
- The system prevents accidents by maintaining specified speed limits and applying automatic brakes if the driver fails to act.
- The deadline for the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah routes has been extended to 2026 due to installation delays.
- Approximately 25% of the installation work on the targeted routes is currently operational and in ready-to-use condition.
Exam Facts
- Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 738 route km.
- Optical fibre cable has been laid along 7,129 km for the system installation.
- Track-side equipment is installed on 5,672 route km and in 4,154 locomotives.
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