Mumbai's Western Railway Locals To Get 'Kavach' Safety Boost By End Of 2026

In a major boost to commuter safety on one of the world's busiest suburban rail networks, the Western Railway is set to equip its Mumbai local trains with the indigenous anti-collision system, Kavach, by the end of next year, officials have said.

Kavach is a state-of-the-art electronic system developed under the 'Make in India' initiative that is presently being installed on Delhi-Mumbai as well as some other trunk routes.

The indigenously designed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which will automatically control train speed, prevent collisions, and ensure safe operations even when human error might pose a threat, will replace the Auxiliary Warning System (AWS) presently used as an onboard safety device by Western Railway, officials said on Sunday.

Western Railway, which operates more than 1,400 suburban services daily on the Churchgate-Virar-Dahanu segment with a fleet of 110 electrical multiple units (EMUs), has a daily ridership of more than 30 lakh.

AWS has an audible warning system that alerts the driver about the aspect of the upcoming signal, along with additional features like speed monitoring and braking assistance, an official said.

"The AWS panel in the motorman's cab has an alarm, a vigilance button, and red, yellow, or blue lights. If the alarm sounds, the motorman must press the button within four seconds, or the brakes will activate and stay locked until the train stops completely," he said.

However, according to railway officials, the AWS often falls short in preventing critical safety incidents such as Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) and signal jumping.

Its limited automation and reliance on manual response reduce its effectiveness in averting potential accidents, they added.

Officials said Kavach is better than the existing AWS as it integrates advanced features designed to prevent collisions, manage train movements, and ensure adherence to signal systems.

The system ensures real-time communication between trains and signalling stations, reducing human error and improving operational efficiency.

Key features include automatic brake application in case of red signal violations, compatibility with existing signalling infrastructure, and in-cab signalling for safer operations in low-visibility conditions, they added.

Kavach also prevents rear-end and head-on collisions, monitors speed continuously, and enables faster response during emergencies, officials said.

"Work has begun on the transition to Kavach. All suburban locals on Western Railway will be equipped with Kavach in addition to mainline locomotives by the end of next year. This step marks a significant improvement in onboard safety and collision prevention," a senior WR official said.

The system continuously monitors train movement, compares it against permissible speed limits and signal indications, and automatically intervenes to apply brakes if needed, he added.

As of 2025, Western Railway has laid out plans to implement Kavach on over 2,358 route kilometres, with its commissioning on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route expected by the end of the current fiscal, officials said.

"Kavach is poised to significantly improve railway signalling systems and ensure enhanced passenger safety. Deployment of Kavach will not only enhance security in the service but also aid efficiency," Western Railway chief public relations officer Vineet Abhishek told PTI. Other routes will follow soon, officials said.