The Indian Railways has significantly increased its safety spending over the past ten years, from Rs 39,200 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,17,693 crore in 2025-26, with a focus on enhancing passenger safety during the modernization process. Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that safety is the top priority for the Indian Railways, leading to a notable decrease in the number of accidents.
The implementation of the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which necessitates the highest safety certification (SIL-4), has been a key development across extensive sections of the Indian Railways network. Kavach assists the loco pilot by automatically applying brakes if necessary and ensures safe train operations, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Funds allocated for Kavach initiatives have reached Rs 2,573.36 crore up to December 2025, with an additional allocation of Rs 1,673.19 crore for the year 2025-26. Notably, Kavach version 4.0, encompassing essential features for the diverse railway network, has been approved, marking a significant safety milestone for the Indian Railways.
Specialized training programs on Kavach technology have been conducted to educate over 48,000 technicians, operators, and engineers, including Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots, to ensure proficient handling of the system. The installation of CCTV cameras in coaches and locomotives is also underway to enhance passenger safety and security by deterring criminal activities and aiding in incident investigations.
