Indian Railways is ramping up the implementation of its indigenously developed Kavach automatic train protection system, aiming to outfit 10,000 locomotives and over 1,100 kilometers of tracks. Contracts for these installations are expected to be finalized within this month, according to officials.

Currently, Kavach is operational on approximately 1,500 kilometers of tracks, with ongoing work extending to an additional 3,000 kilometers. The upcoming bids will focus on critical routes, including segments of the Delhi-Chennai and Mumbai-Chennai corridors. By 2025-26, the Railways plans to extend Kavach to another 17,000 kilometers and achieve 30,000 kilometers of coverage by 2027-28, encompassing nearly 90% of the network.

Designed to prevent accidents caused by human error or equipment failures, Kavach provides real-time information to train operators, ensuring safer operations at higher speeds. The system’s latest iteration, **Kavach 4.0**, was recently installed on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur route, with further trials underway on additional tracks.

The Railway Ministry is prioritizing the rapid rollout of Kavach as part of its comprehensive safety strategy to enhance train operations and cover most of the network by 2030. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and safety of India’s vast railway system.