Indian Railways is set to issue tenders for outfitting 10,000 locomotives with Kavach 4.0, the latest version of its indigenous automatic train safety system. Additionally, the Railways will soon finalize tenders for rolling out Kavach across 9,000 kilometres of its network, completing the installation of automatic train protection (ATP) systems at both stations and locomotives.

Recent railway accidents have highlighted the urgent need for a rapid deployment of a train protection system to address human error and signal violations that often lead to accidents. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Kavach 4.0, which has been approved by the RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation), will be introduced across the rail network starting in October. The initial phase will cover 10,000 locomotives and is expected to be completed over two years.

With around 15,000 locomotives and 5,000 EMUs, DMUs, and similar units, all will be equipped with Kavach. The minister indicated that another tender for 10,000 locomotives might be issued after the first phase is completed, ensuring that all locomotives are fitted with the system within the next four years, well before Kavach systems are installed across the network and stations.