Kavach Commissioned on Prayagraj–Kanpur Section, Boost to Safety and 160 kmph Operations

Indian Railways deploys Kavach Automatic Train Protection system on Prayagraj–Kanpur section, enhancing safety, preventing accidents, and enabling high-speed operations.

Prayagraj: In a major step towards enhancing railway safety and speed, the North Central Railway has successfully commissioned the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on the Prayagraj (excluding)–Kanpur (excluding) section, covering 190 route kilometres, on March 22, 2026.

The system was implemented using Train No. 14163, during which the General Manager conducted a footplate inspection from Subedarganj to Manauri station to evaluate its performance. Senior officials, including Principal Heads of Departments (PHODs), DRM Prayagraj, and other divisional and headquarters officers, were present during the commissioning.

In the initial phase, Kavach will be operational on eight pairs of trains, including 14113/14114, 14163/14164, 12307/12308, 12417/12418, 22437/22438, 15003/15004, 20433/20434, and 12403/12404. More trains, including Vande Bharat Express, will be gradually brought under its coverage.

The commissioning marks a significant milestone in enabling train operations at speeds of up to 160 kmph on this crucial route, while also improving overall safety and operational efficiency.

Before deployment, extensive trials were conducted using WAP-7 locomotives with 8, 16, and 22 LHB coach configurations, along with a 20-coach Vande Bharat rake to ensure system reliability under diverse conditions. Passenger trials were also successfully carried out using Train No. 15003/15004 (Chauri Chaura Express), demonstrating consistent performance during regular service.

Over 20,000 kilometres of passenger trial runs have been completed, with all system validations meeting safety standards.

Kavach, developed under the Make in India initiative, significantly strengthens railway safety through features such as Automatic Train Protection, prevention of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), and automatic brake application in case of human error.

The project was executed by the Signal & Telecommunication team of North Central Railway under the leadership of Satendra Kumar, with support from multiple departments.

Looking ahead, the next phase will see the deployment of Kavach on the Ghaziabad–Tundla section as part of Mission Raftaar, aimed at enabling high-speed operations up to 160 kmph.

North Central Railway reiterated its commitment to adopting advanced safety technologies, ensuring safer, more reliable, and efficient train operations for passengers across the network.