Indian Railways, which transports over 24 million passengers daily and moves approximately 1,418 million tonnes of freight annually, remains the backbone of India's transport network. It has undergone a significant transformation, from the iconic Rajdhani to the Vande Bharat Express, embodying India's modernisation vision during its "Amrit Kaal." Notably, Vande Bharat is India's first semi-high-speed train, indigenously designed and manufactured, showcasing the country’s strides in upgrading rail infrastructure.

Since 2014, Indian Railways has faced the monumental task of overhauling its system to address the major challenge of safety. The government has made considerable efforts to transform train journeys, which were once marred by accidents, delays, and substandard infrastructure, into a safer, more comfortable, and sustainable experience.

Upgrading Indian Railways is a massive undertaking, but progress is visible, and the system is on the right track. One key innovation is the Kavach system, which will soon be integrated across the railway network to enhance operational safety. Kavach is an advanced Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to prevent collisions on the same track. It was developed through the collaboration of three Indian companies and the Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO), and it assists drivers by automatically controlling the braking system if a red signal is missed. The technology, which uses radio frequency identification systems placed on tracks, trains, and stations, also alerts drivers of potential head-on collisions.

Kavach is especially beneficial during adverse weather conditions, as it enhances both safety and efficiency. Recent railway accidents, such as the collision involving the Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train in West Bengal, and the tragic triple-train collision near Balasore, have brought safety concerns to the forefront. These incidents raise important questions about how Indian Railways, established in 1853 and celebrating its 171st year, can prevent such catastrophic accidents.

The government’s budgetary allocation of Rs 1.08 lakh crore for FY 2024-25 reflects its commitment to railway safety and infrastructure modernisation. Of this, Rs 1,112.57 crore has been earmarked for the installation of Kavach, with Rs 1,216.77 crore already spent on the project to date.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that Kavach 4.0 will begin rolling out across the Indian Railways network in October. The first phase will cover 10,000 locomotives and span over 9,000 route kilometres in the coming years, with around 3,000 route kilometres set to be covered by the end of this financial year.