Mumbai : In a major safety upgrade for Mumbai’s suburban rail network, the Western Railway has announced that its entire fleet of local trains will be equipped with the Kavach automatic train protection system by the end of 2026.
The indigenous Kavach system, developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, is designed to prevent collisions by automatically controlling train speed, applying brakes in emergencies, and ensuring safe train separation. It will replace the older Auxiliary Warning System (AWS) currently in use on the Churchgate–Virar route.
Western Railway operates more than 1,400 suburban services daily, serving over 3 million commuters across Mumbai. The rollout of Kavach will cover 110 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rakes, significantly boosting safety and reducing reliance on human error.
Installation work has already begun and is expected to be completed within the next 18 months. This move aligns with Indian Railways’ broader plan to enhance operational safety and modernize its signaling infrastructure nationwide.
