Indian Railways conducted a final phase trial of the indigenous Kavach anti-collision system on the Gaya-Sasaram-DDU section under East Central Railway on April 25, 2026. During the test, a train running at 160 Kmph automatically applied brakes when a hazard was detected. This system worked without any manual intervention from the driver to prevent a potential accident.
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What is the Kavach system and how does it work
Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection system developed by RDSO with partners like Medha Servo Drives, Kernex Microsystems, and HBL Power Systems. It monitors train speed, signal status, and track occupancy in real time. If a driver misses a danger signal or over-speeds, the system automatically applies brakes to stop the train safely. This technology is especially useful during heavy fog or low visibility conditions.
What are the latest updates on Kavach deployment
The government has approved significant funding to expand this safety shield across the network. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Kavach 4.0 is already functional across 1,452 route kilometers on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors. Recent financial allocations include:
| Allocation Amount | Purpose/Zone |
|---|---|
| ₹1,364.45 crore | Expansion across four railway zones |
| ₹208.81 crore | Kavach 4.0 for 232 locomotives in Southern Railway |
| ₹578.02 crore | Electronic interlocking at 49 stations in South Central Railway |
| ₹27,693 crore | Overall national program with LTE backbone |
Which routes have recently seen Kavach implementation
Apart from the Gaya-Sasaram-DDU trials, several other sections became functional in January 2026. This included the 344 km Vadodara-Virar section on Western Railway and the 35 km stretch from Tuglakabad Junction Cabin to Palwal on Northern Railway. Additionally, the 93.3 km section between Manpur and Sarmatanr on the DDU Grand Chord route was commissioned on January 30, 2026.