Indian Railways has commissioned the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system ‘Kavach’ on a 190 route kilometre stretch between Prayagraj and Kanpur on the high-density Delhi–Howrah corridor, marking a significant step towards safer and faster train operations. The system was made operational on March 22, 2026, on one of the busiest rail routes in the country. Officials said the deployment will enhance safety by preventing accidents caused by human error and enabling real-time communication between trains and signalling systems.
Kavach is designed to automatically apply brakes if a loco pilot fails to respond to signals, control train speed, and prevent “Signal Passing at Danger” (SPAD), a major cause of rail accidents. The commissioning is also expected to facilitate higher train speeds of up to 160 kmph under the Railways’ Mission Raftaar programme, improving efficiency on the Delhi–Howrah corridor.
According to North Central Railway officials, the system has already been installed on multiple trains operating on this route, following extensive trials covering thousands of kilometres.
The Prayagraj–Kanpur section is part of a broader plan to expand Kavach across key routes of the Golden Quadrilateral network, aimed at modernising railway infrastructure, reducing travel time, and enhancing passenger safety.