In a major boost to railway safety and modernisation, Indian Railways has sanctioned expansion of the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system across key routes of Northern Railway at a total cost of Rs 3,620 million (mn). The works will include provision of Kavach over important sections of Firozpur and Jammu divisions covering about 1,466 route kilometres. The ministry said the move aims to enhance safety and operational reliability.

Under the project, Kavach will be installed over 1,000 route kilometres on balance sections of Firozpur Division at an estimated cost of Rs 2,410 million (mn). In Jammu Division, the system will be provided on the Jalandhar City Junction to Jammu Tawi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra corridor, Batala to Pathankot Junction and Banihal to Baramulla sections covering around 466 route kilometres at a cost of Rs 1,210 million (mn). The combined works are intended to secure some of the network's most strategic stretches.

Kavach is India's indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system that prevents collisions by automatically applying brakes in case of unsafe movement and assists loco pilots in maintaining safe operations through continuous communication between locomotives, signalling systems and trackside equipment. The technology operates by ensuring fail safe intervention when required and integrating with existing signalling infrastructure to support reliable train movement. Its expansion is expected to reduce human error and enhance punctuality.

Officials noted the rollout will improve operational safety and support efficient traffic flow across the Northern Railway network while contributing to modernisation goals. Project implementation will be coordinated with divisional authorities and relevant engineering departments to minimise disruption to services during installation and testing. The ministry indicated the works form part of broader efforts to modernise rail safety systems nationwide.