Prayagraj: In a move to ease congestion and improve passenger convenience, the North Central Railway (NCR) has announced an operational change for trains running between Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur.From July 24 onwards, several key trains will no longer halt at Kanpur Central Station. Instead, they will stop at the newly upgraded Govindpuri Railway Station.This decision is part of NCR’s efforts to decongest Kanpur Central, one of the busiest stations in the region, and to enhance passenger connectivity through Govindpuri. The upgraded Govindpuri Station was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 22, 2025, under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The station was modernised with enhanced facilities, making it more suitable to handle increased train traffic and passenger volume.NCR’s senior public relations officer, Amit Malviya, said this strategic change will significantly reduce crowding at Kanpur Central and offer passengers at Govindpuri improved connectivity, convenience and access to upgraded amenities. The 12 pairs of trains that will halt at Govindpuri are Purushottam Express, Banaras-Okha, Sealdah-Amritsar, Sealdah-Anand Vihar, Haldia-Anand Vihar, Ajmer-Rajendra Nagar, Banaras/Ballia-New Delhi, Guwahati-New Delhi, Kolkata-Udaipur City, Agartala-Firozpur Cantt, Ballia-Anand Vihar and Sealdah-Ajmer.In another groundbreaking development, the NCR launched the WAG-9 electric locomotive from the Kanpur Electric Loco Shed. This indigenous engine features the advanced ‘Kavach’ anti-collision system, marking a significant leap in Indian Railways’ safety protocols. The ‘Kavach’ technology uses real-time data analysis to prevent train collisions and includes a LIDAR-based obstacle detection system for identifying potential track hazards.Additionally, the WAG-9 engine is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system, further enhancing safety for railway operations. The locomotive’s launch was showcased through a video on the Chief Public Relations Officer’s official Instagram account, highlighting its cutting-edge features and the role it will play in modernising India’s railway network.