In a major stride towards enhancing railway safety, Indian Railways has launched Kavach 4.0, an advanced indigenous safety system, on the Mathura–Kota section of the Delhi–Mumbai corridor. Announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on July 30, 2025, this upgrade marks a significant move toward smarter, accident-free rail travel.
What is Kavach 4.0?
Built to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL 4) standards—the highest in safety—Kavach 4.0:
- Automatically controls train speed and applies brakes.
- Works effectively even in low visibility, like fog.
- Displays signals and speed info on in-cabin dashboards, reducing driver dependency on trackside signals.
Nationwide Expansion
- Nationwide rollout in 6 years is planned.
- Over 30,000 staff trained.
- 17 engineering colleges now offer Kavach modules via MoUs with IRISET.
Key Technologies
- RFID tags every 1 km for accurate train tracking.
- Telecom towers with fiber connectivity ensure uninterrupted communication.
- Auto-brake integration with locomotives for emergencies.
Tested and Approved
After three years of rigorous testing in South Central Railway, Kavach 4.0 was approved in May 2025 for speeds up to 160 km/h.
A Safer Future
With ₹1 lakh crore invested annually in safety, Indian Railways is leveraging Kavach 4.0 to make India’s vast network not only smarter but significantly safer for passengers.
