Railways conducts 160 kmph Kavach trial on Dadri-Tundla section using Vande Bharat rake

Automatic Train Protection System: North Central Railway has successfully conducted a high-speed trial of Kavach, the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, at 160 kmph speed on the Dadri-Tundla section of the Prayagraj Division. The indigenous-developed safety system is being rolled out across railway sections nationwide in a phased manner to enhance operational safety and prevent accidents. ## Kavach System in Railways The Kavach is an makes rail operation safer by applying brakes in trains in critical situations. The system automatically protects against Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), Head-on and rear-ends collision risks. Moreover, overspeeding is continuously monitored and controlled and Safety is ensured even in low visibility and adverse weather conditions. Thus, this technology will not only prevent accidents caused by human error but will also prove to be a milestone in ensuring the safe and punctual operation of trains during dense fog and adverse weather conditions. ## Kavach Trial on Vande Bharat Express In a statement on February 14, the North Central Railway said: “A significant phase of this trial series was completed today, February 14, 2026, involving a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express rake. The performance of the system was evaluated under high-speed operating conditions, yielding precise results in speed supervision and automatic braking intervention at 160 kmph.” The zonal railway said that following the successful trials conducted using a Vande Bharat rake, the Kavach system will now undergo testing with conventional coach compositions. It added that detailed trials are scheduled on February 16, 17, and 18, using WAP-5 and WAP-7 electric locomotives. “These trials are being conducted under an Independent Safety Audit (ISA) in the presence of the Italian safety assessment agency, ITALCERTIFER. The objective of these comprehensive trials is to ensure the highest global safety standards before the full-scale implementation of the system,” it said. ## Kavach Railway Safety System The testing focused on several critical operational and safety parameters: • Kulwa Loop Line Speed Control Test: Automatically controlling the train’s speed within safe limits while entering the station’s loop line. • SPAD Prevention: Verifying the system’s effectiveness in preventing ‘Signal Passing At Danger’ (SPAD) incidents. • Failure Scenarios: Testing the system’s response under challenging conditions such as station-to-station and loco communication failures, and the absence of RFID tags. • Auto-Whistling: Evaluating the automatic whistling feature at level crossing gates. The zonal railway further stated that, upon the successful completion of all required tests and regulatory approvals, regular operations of KAVACH-equipped trains on this section will commence at the earliest. Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More