New Delhi: With a view to building a robust system of safety for its passenger, the East Central Railway (ECR) plans set up ‘Kavach’ leveraging modern technology in Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya to Pradhankhunta route.

The 408 km Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya to Pradhankhunta rail section is part of busiest Delhi-Howrah route, which passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The railway route comprises eight railway junction stations, 77 railway stations, 79 level crossing gates and seven intermediate block signals. 

At present the maximum permitted speed limit on this route is 130 km/hr, but ground work is being carried out to raise the speed to 160 km/hr, cutting the travel time. 

Designed by Research Design and Standards Organisation, ‘Kavach’ has been certified to the highest Safety Integrity Level-4. 

It is an anti-collision technology that aims to devise a fool proof system to check accidents. ‘Kavach’ would be equipped with Global Positioning System, microprocessor and radio transmission technology to prevent mishaps. 

The ECR on February 20 floated a tender of Rs 151 crore for setting up ‘Kavach’ system on Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya to Pradhankhunta section.